Luanda: Angolan canoeist Benilson Sanda was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the African Canoeing Championships, which concluded on Sunday in Luanda Bay with Egypt’s victory.

According to Angola Press News Agency, Sanda was part of the Angolan duo that retained the gold medal in the 500-meter C2. The country has held this title since 2023. He also stood out individually, winning the most important event, the 1,000-meter C1, with a time of 4:16:08.

The award in the women’s class went to South African Esti Olivier. In brief statements to ANGOP, Sanda said that it was difficult given his opponents’ potential and considered his victory the result of hard work over a long period of time.

Olivier, the runner-up at the 2021 World Championships in Russia, dominated the 200 m K1 and 500 m K1 events with times of 41.56 and 2:07.69, respectively, despite her coach’s absence. At 33 years old, Olivier stressed that she had to resort to her experience to maintain her dominance in these categories at the continental l
evel, adding that the organization was one of the best she had ever seen in Africa.

She added that the competition venue has the capacity to host world events.