Stafford's Joe Clarke takes big step towards Tokyo 2020
Slalom canoe champion Joe Clarke has taken a huge step towards Tokyo 2020 after winning a second British Olympic selection race.
The 26-year-old, who won Olympic gold at Rio, looks set to defend his crown next year after winning the men’s K1 final in the first leg of the World Cup at Lee Valley.
The Stafford canoeist, was awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Year Honours, was last on the course and saw off the rest of the field to win gold in 90.35secs, despite some mid-race trouble.
It has all-but guaranteed him selection for the Tokyo Games.
Clarke said: “It’s the elephant in the room, the Olympic selection races, but I’ve got the win.
“I’ve also got the World Cup win, which is huge and in front of a home crowd, which is even bigger.
“I’ve had a bit of a shoulder injury and I haven’t really got over it.
“I had a bit of pain coming into the race, so I’ve got a few days off and then I’ll head to Tacen and try to get a result there.”
There are four legs to the International Canoe Federation Slalom World Cup ahead of a final in September.
Clarke was awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to canoeing.
