Congratulations
to Tim Brabants who powered to a superb victory in the final of the
men's K1 1000m to win Great Britain's 18th gold medal of the Olympics.
click here to watch the race
The 31-year-old dominated the race
from the start, finishing almost a boat's length ahead of the defending
champion, Norway's Erik Veraas Larsen.
Brabants crossed the finishing
line in 3 min 26.323 sec to win Britain's first ever canoeing Olympic
gold medal.
Brabants adds Olympic gold to his
world and European titles.
Starting in lane five, Brabants
led from the very start of the race at the Shunyi Olympic
Rowing-Canoeing Park, holding off the challenge of Adam van Koeverden at
the 500m stage.
The Canadian faded in the closing
250m stages as 2004 champion Larsen made his move, but Brabants held
firm to clinch historic gold.
"That was exactly the race plan we
wanted, that is what we have been working on all year in how to race an
Olympic final," said Brabants, who won bronze in Sydney in 2000.
"In the first two strokes there
was no doubt I was going to win the race. No-one was going to come past
me, I felt fantastic.
"Paul
Hobrough a massive support at Physio & Therapy"
Brabants had recorded the world's
fastest time in his qualification heats in Athens four years ago, but
failed to make the podium after finishing fifth in the final.
"Four years ago I had unfinished
business. I was good four years ago but I wasn't this good," he added.
"London is definitely on the cards
now. Don't be surprised to see me in London ready to represent Great
Britain again."
The doctor from Walton-on-Thames
in Surrey is the current World, European and now Olympic champion.
