Team Nigeria emerged as the overall winner of the inaugural African Admiral Porbeni Canoe Race Championships held in Abuja. The team secured an impressive total of 34 medals, including 21 gold, 11 silver, and two bronze, establishing their dominance in the event, which also served as pre-qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The four-day championship saw participation from over 100 athletes representing five African countries, namely Ghana, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo, and the host nation, Nigeria.
Sao Tome and Principe secured the second position with a total of 20 medals, comprising three golds, 11 silvers, and six bronzes. Senegal took the third spot with 16 medals, consisting of one gold, three silver, and 12 bronze.
The races featured in the event encompassed various distances and categories, including 500m KL3 women, 200m KL3 men, 1,000m K1 men, 1,000m K1 women, 1,000 C1 men, 1,000 C1 women, 5,000m K2 men, and 200m K1 women, among others.
Nigeria’s Ayomide Bello showcased exceptional prowess, emerging as the overall best female athlete, securing three gold medals in the 1,000m C1 women, 200m C1 women, and 500m C1 women events.
The youngest Nigerian athlete, Yinlayefa Godhelp, proved her talent by clinching gold in two events, the 1,000m K1 women’s and 500m K1 women’s races. Despite being discovered just 12 months prior, she has made significant strides, including representing Nigeria at the Africa Beach Games in Tunisia, where she achieved an impressive fourth position.
Other Nigerian gold medalists included Temitope Olasupo, Pere Paghamotei, Blessing Amusan, Ayoola Amusan, Endurance Godhelp, and Joseph/Michael Moses, each showcasing exceptional performances in their respective events.
As a reward for their outstanding achievements, Team Nigeria received prize money of 3,000 dollars, while Sao Tome and Principe received 2,000 dollars, and Senegal settled for 1,000 dollars. The championship showcased remarkable talent and sportsmanship among the African nations involved, setting the stage for future competitions.
