BBC reality show Last Man Standing has been won by Fulham firefighter Wolé Adesemoye who canoed 40km over shark-infestested seas.
The final, broadcast last night, showed Wolé winning a 40km ocean canoe race over two days on Papua New Guinea's shark infested coastline to win the second series.
The 28-year-old, who lives in Brompton Park Crescent, trained at the Dale Youth Club in North Kensington for the gruelling contest, which saw him fight other contestants and native experts in martial arts.
He said: “It was an epic adventure, visiting some of the most stunning places in the world and I will never forget this experience. This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m absolutely thrilled to have won.”
He was inspired to enter the show by his mother Florence and added: "When I was young I did not do as well academically as I might have done. I just wanted to make her proud and maybe overcome some fear of failure."
The firefighter travelled to 10 countries during the programme, competing in ancient tribal events in the most remote parts of the world. His two other victories were stick-fighting in Ethiopia and kick-fighting in the Philippines. Another challenge was to race up a Nepalese mountain carrying a huge rock.
As a firefighter, Wolé works with the Brigade’s positive action team, which encourages people to think about fire service careers, and hopes his victory in the show can inspire youngsters.
He added: “I want to be a positive role model to black and minority ethnic communities and show that if I can become a firefighter so can you. "
Wolé has lived in Fulham since he was five when his family moved from Nigeria. His training schedule sees him up at 6am every other day running three miles as well as weight exercises in the afternoon. He has worked on the blue watch at Battersea Fire Station for the past four years.
(pictures courtesy of BBC)
