Akinyemi feels the heat
He is well known internationally, though, after qualifying in style for Nigeria in Canoeing. This is the first time the country would be partaking in the sport and many wonder why Canoeing? The 23 year-old who has a British Mother and a Nigerian father is not bothered about opposition in the Games but is scared […]
He is well known internationally, though, after qualifying in style for Nigeria in Canoeing. This is the first time the country would be partaking in the sport and many wonder why Canoeing?
The 23 year-old who has a British Mother and a Nigerian father is not bothered about opposition in the Games but is scared about the terrible heat that has enveloped London after two days of sunshine.
‘’Everything is well with me. The only problem is the heat. It is terrible. I am here to take a fan to my room. The heat is terrible. I am burning up’’, he joked.
“Johny” Akinyemi was once voted the ICF Athlete of the Month. A gold medallist at the 2012 African Canoe Slalom Championships in South Africa, Akinyemi went head to head with Beijing bronze medallist, Benjamin Boukpeti (TOG) and retained his K1 title, thereby securing Africa’s sole K1 spot at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
“It’s just absolutely incredible and I’ve not stopped smiling since I won the race. I wake up at night and after about ten seconds remember that I’ve qualified for the Olympics and I just laugh out loud. I’m just so happy. »
Akinyemi grew up in Warrington and started Canoeing at the age of 12 . He is one of Team Nigeria’s medal hopefuls here at the London 2012 Olympics.