WHEN Jonathan Akinyemi was a young boy, he wanted a motor bike. But his parents thought it would be too dangerous – and bought him a canoe instead.
Now, the wisdom behind their decision is becoming clear – with the 23-year-old former Culcheth High School pupil the African champion in the K1 kayak category and about to represent Nigeria in the London Olympics.
Whether or not white water canoeing is any less dangerous than motor biking is another issue!
Jonathan was born in Culcheth and started canoeing about 12 years ago at Warrington’s Fordton Leisure Centre.
But his talent was soon spotted and by 2006 he was a member of Team GB.
It was then he decided to switch to Nigeria – by virtue of his father being born there.
Canoeing, and particularly slalom, is not well developed in Nigeria and Johny, as he is known in the canoeing world, will be something of a pioneer as their first-ever K1 Olympic contestant.
But he sees a big future for the sport there and believes his appearance in the Olympics will give it a big boost.
Although he is studying accountancy at university in this country and training hard for the Olympics, he is planning to go to Nigeria after the Games to help identify suitable locations for white water canoeing there. Which means 2012 is a really busy year for him.
But he still found time to drop in at his old school in Culcheth and talk to pupils about life as an international canoeist.
Pictured: Johny in white water action
