CROWNED Africa’s number one again, a canoe slalom athlete from Padgate is the first Warringtonian to book their spot at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Johny Akinyemi, whose grandfather was born in Lagos, will be on the plane to Rio next summer to compete in his second successive Games – for Nigeria.

The former Culcheth High School student believes the experience of racing at London 2012, as his country’s first ever canoe slalom competitor, proved invaluable in making a return this time around.

“I think I learned a lot from London in terms of preparation and how to race, because it’s so much bigger than any other race we do,” said Akinyemi, who turns 27 this week.

“It was ideal, really, and it will help me at Rio. It will stand me in good stead.

“I have noticed since London 2012 that my performances are better and I don’t get as nervous, because I’ve raced on the biggest stage.”

The self-funded athlete missed an opportunity to qualify for Rio via the World Championships in London in September, finishing 59th in a field of 129, but retained his African Championships crown earlier this month.

Topping the podium secured Nigeria’s spot in canoe slalom K1M at the Games, with Akinyemi confident his selection is a formality.

However, after putting his honeymoon with wife Emma on hold and quitting his job earlier this year to allow for more training, the Padgate-based paddler felt the pressure.

Not least because he was one of the favourites this time around at the continent's top competition, staged on Kenya’s Sagan River.

“We eventually managed to find some time for the honeymoon, so everyone’s happy,” laughed the qualified accountant, who now works for his dad’s company.

“I was there for nine days, so it was good to have a few days training before the race. I like to have a bit of time to get used to the course because each one is unique.

“It was a natural river but at quite high altitude, so it was good to acclimatise to the weather – it was a bit hotter than it is here!”

Akinyemi added: “It was interesting, because in 2012 I was the real underdog whereas this time the target was on me. They were all trying to catch me and it was really nerve-racking.

“But I held it together and put down good runs. The semi-final was more eventful as I hit three gates, but I always have one bad run and in the final I was clean.”

Akinyemi, who spent time preparing for the African Championships on local canals and on a white water stretch at Marple, near Stockport, will visit Rio in the coming months.

“Before the race I didn’t want to think about it and focused on preparation for the qualifiers,” he explained.

“For London, the qualifiers weren’t until March, but now I have plenty of time to prepare for Rio.

“I need to put together my racing programme, then I’ll be training my socks off and I’ll be going to the training camps in Rio, where you have a chance to get out on the Olympic course.

“My dad is going to give me some time off work, too, so I’m lucky in that respect.”

And Akinyemi intends to impress.

“It’s one of those weird sports where anything can happen,” he continued. “When I go to race I want to win. The aim is to go and put down the best race I can and see what happens.”