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Joe Clarke wins Rio 2016 Olympic gold in K1 canoe slalom

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Joe Clarke followed in Adam Peaty’s footsteps in winning another gold medal for Great Britain.

The 23-year-old became the second Briton to win gold at the Rio Olympics with victory in the men’s K1 canoe slalom.

Clarke came home fastest across the water in a time of 88.53 seconds on Wednesday.

After the agony of David Florence’s last-placed finish on Tuesday, British kayaker Clarke lit up a gloomy Whitewater Stadium with the race of his life.

It is the first time Britain have won a medal in this event since Campbell Walsh took silver at Athens in 2004. 

Coming down the course eighth in the 10-man final, Clarke enjoyed a clean run in 88.53 seconds. He took over first place 0.17 seconds faster than the previous paddler, Peter Kauzer of Slovenia, a two-time world champion and the world series titleholder.

That left him with a nervous wait with two more competitors after him yet to compete. 

However, current world champion Jiri Prskavec was penalised for touching a gate with his head. 

Last man Jakub Grigar of Slovakia, the world junior champion, could place only fifth – seeing Staffordshire-born slalom canoeist Clarke taking gold at his first-ever Olympics.

Kauzer finished with the silver, while Prskavec took the bronze.

By Luke Augustus

This photograph was provided by Renée S. Suen.


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