A 23-year-old Warrington man won a gold medal for freestyle kayaking at the International Canoe Federation World Championships in Germany.
The win by James Bebbington marks the first time a European athlete has won since 1995 and he is the first Briton ever to win gold.
James, from Glazebury, has previously won last year’s ICF World Cup Series and won silver in last year’s European Championships.
Freestyle kayaking will be a demo sport at the London Olympics but is being pushed towards being a full Olympic sport of the future.
For the time being, though, the World Championships are the highest level of competition.
James’s success follows on from Warrington Borough Council giving him a £250 individual sports grant earlier this year.
He has loved kayaking since he was 12 years old and is a former pupil of Culcheth High School and Reaseheath College.
James said: “I couldn’t believe it at first – its been a dream of mine to be the World Champion since I was 12-years old. I worked hard for it and it finally paid off – it was one of the best and most satisfying days of my life!”
Cllr Kate Hannon, the borough council’s executive member for leisure, community and culture, said: “It’s fantastic news that James has succeeded in his goal of becoming a world champion freestyle kayaker.
“I would like to offer my congratulations to him on behalf of the council and we wish him every success in his future sporting career.”
James is a world champion!
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
