London, July 31 (IANS/RIA Novosti) France’s 2000 and 2004 Olympic gold medallist Tony Estanguet grabbed the top prize at the London Games Tuesday in the canoe slalom single category.
Estanguet won in 1 minute, 37.06 seconds to beat Germany’s Sideris Tasiadis, who took the silver a second behind.
“It’s a really special moment for me and was a big fight for me to return after Beijing with my ninth place. I am really satisfied because this water is very fast, it’s like a dream,” Estanguet said.
Beijing champion Michal Martikan of Slovakia edged into bronze place two tenths of a second down on Tasiadis.
“It’s crazy,” said Tasiadis when asked to comment on his silver.
“When I entered the Olympics, I did not expect to win a medal. I was not confident. It is a surprise medal. I was so nervous, but I am very pleased.”
Estanguet had a perfect run down the 23-gate Olympic course after Tasiadis had qualified fastest in the semi-finals.
Martikan also won gold at Atlanta in 1996, and was silver medallist behind Estanguet in Sydney and Athens.
“Although it’s my fifth medal in five Olympic Games, I’m a bit disappointed,” Martikan said.
“It wasn’t a difficult course, although the water in some places made it difficult. The configuration of the gates was good. I’m just disappointed because I couldn’t go faster.”
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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