Liam Jegou has become the first Irishman to win gold at the World Slalom Canoeing Cup today.
The Clare native recorded an impressive 100.35 second run to finish ahead of Vaclav Chaloupka from Czech Republic in second and the rest of the field in the C1 class.
Jegou, who’s based in France, had the edge on a course he regularly trains in at Pau.
A big Olympic hopeful for Team Ireland, Jegou has already sealed qualification for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
“I’ve been pushing myself really hard now for several years, and all summer, preparing for events like this”, the 24-year-old said.
“So I’m absolutely thrilled to put down a big run like this in the seniors, it means a lot.”
Elsewhere for Ireland, Hannah Craig made a promising return to action as she finished 13th.
“Being an Olympian has always been one of my biggest dreams," Jegou said earlier this year.
"I started training when I was 11 or 12, the past month has been unbelievable knowing that I am going to compete for Team Ireland in the Olympics.
"In my sport the Olympics is everything. It’s what everyone works for.
"It’s such a select thing, there’s only one athlete per nation that gets to go and when you to go you just want to give it your all.
"Most people only get to go to the Games once or twice in their lives, and I’m certainly not going to let the opportunity pass me.”
