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Britain wins men's K1 gold in canoe slalom at Rio Olympics (updated)

Xinhua, August 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

Joseph Clarke from Britain clocked a time of 88.53 seconds to win a gold medal in the men's K1 in canoe slalom competition of the 2016 Olympic Games here on Wednesday.

Peter Kauzer from Slovenia finished in 88.70 seconds to take a silver medal, edging Jiri Prskavec from the Czech Republic into third place with a time of 88.99 seconds.

Clarke's gold medal was the first for Britain in the event. But it was Britain's second gold medal in this sport, after Timothy Baillie and Etienne Stott won the gold in the men's C2 four years ago at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

"I just can't really put it into words. My words are probably just going to come out in one big blur, I'm just so made up," said Clarke. "I have so many amazing memories of this sport and this just tops all of them in one day."

Kauzer follows in the footsteps of his compatriot Andraz Vehouar, who took the silver medal in the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. They are the only Slovenian medal winners in this sport.

"I failed at two Olympics already so I said 'Let's see if third time is a charm' so I guess it was for me today," said Kauzer.

"It was hard for me to come back because two years ago I had a really nasty injury, I dislocated my shoulder on the London (2012) Olympic course and the rehab to come back was really tough for me so I appreciate this medal even more," he added.

Current world and European champion Prskavec gave Czech Republic its second medal in the men's K1 after Vavrinec Hradilek's silver medal in London 2012.

"I didn't know it was that close but now I think I deserved after touching that gate and speeding in the bottom of the course. I think I couldn't go much faster and being in a bronze position even with the touch is pretty cool," said Prskavec.

"For me the Olympic medal is the sporting dream. I don't think it's the biggest competition because here there are not as many athletes, but as a sporting dream it was the biggest and I am so happy I got this bronze medal." Endit