Adam Burgess has been crowned Athletes’ Athlete of the Month for January after elite British sportspeople recognised his success at the 2025 Canoe Slalom Oceania Championships.

The award is presented by the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA) in recognition of competitive achievements, personal development, inspiring comebacks, charity work, and awareness-raising.

Adam made a flying start to 2025 as he won a landmark first international individual gold medal in Penrith, Australia. He finished more than half a second ahead of the rest of the field despite a two-second penalty for a touch on gate 15.  

“I was pretty stoked to finally win the Oceania Championships,” he said.

“I’ve medalled there a few times. I’ve had a habit of winning qualifying, winning the semis and then just not quite doing it [in the final]. I was second last year by one-hundredth of a second, so to win it this year was super cool.

“Standing on the top of the podium is so much different from just being a medallist. I sensed that it was maybe becoming a little bit of a thing that I hadn’t actually won yet despite being among the top athletes in the world for quite a long time now.

“To finally do it hopefully opens the gateway for more to come and at bigger and bigger races, too.”

The Athletes’ Athlete of the Month Award is decided by BEAA members – British athletes who are funded by UK Sport’s World Class Programme.

Adam came out on top in January’s vote against fellow nominees: Mia Brookes (snowboarding), Team Hall (bobsleigh) and Penny Healey (archery).

“It’s always nice to be recognised for our achievements, but when it’s your peers and athletes who have voted it is extra special and quite an honour,” he added.

Congratulations to Adam for winning and also to Mia, Team Hall and Penny for being shortlisted.

Athletes can get involved in choosing the winner of future awards via the BEAA’s monthly member emails.

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