Nadezhda Makarchenko wins the 2016 Sports Junior of the year award.

NADEZHDA MAKARCHENKO (Belarus) - 2016 Winner of 'Sports Junior' of the year award.

Born: 1998, Sport: Canoe Sprint (C1 & C1), Represents: Belarus
2016: Gold C1 200, C2 200, C2 500 Junior World Championships, Belarus
2015: Gold C1 200, C2 200, Silver C1 500 Junior World Championships, Portugal
2014: Silver U23 C2 500 U23 World Championships, Hungary.

At the 2016 Junior Sprint Canoe World Championships Nadezhda Makarchenko showed the world that she means business, picking up three gold medals in the C1 200, C2 200 and C2 500. With women's canoe probably making its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, these results have lifted her confidence and given her extra motivation to become the first female Olympic canoe champion. 

As a result of her dominant performances during the 2016 season, Nadezhda added another title to her resume, the 2016 World Paddle Awards 'Sports Junior of the Year' award. After recieving her Golden Paddle, the teenager from Belarus couldn't hide her excitement. 

"The ceremony was the best one in my lifetime. I have liked everything! I hope very much this is not our last meeting!"

We are sure it won't be. Already a five-time world champion in a relatively new sport and with age on her side, Nadezhda still has a lot of room for improvement but she knows that she needs to keep balance and perspective to ensure success.

"Our practice schedule includes a variety of sports such as basketball, swimming, running, cross country skiing. Moreover, sometimes besides my training I like to play table tennis."

"I also like to cook, go to the movies, read books, and simply spend time with my family as well as wondering around the world."

Nadezhda started her sporting career as a swimmer before realising her potential in a canoe, and also have her the opportunity to represent Belarus and travel the world. 

"Once during winter time a canoeing coach noticed and told me that I was not doing so good in that sport and offered to try a canoe boat. I gladly agreed, because I realised that swimming did not suit me so well."

Canoeing on the other hand suits her perfectly. So, with less than four years - with most likely the debut of female canoeing at the Olympics - expect to see Nadezhda's name begin to regularly feature at a senior level on the international stage.