Kim Brennan was victorious in the women’s singles sculls on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, winning Australia’s sixth gold medal and its first in a rowing event since Beijing 2008.
Amazingly, the last Australian to win rowing gold was Kim’s husband, Scott, part of a team with David Crayshaw that won gold in the men’s double sculls at Beijing 2008.
Brennan came into the event as the clear favourite to take out the win, but as we’ve learnt so far in this games, favouritism is by no means a guarantee.
However, Brennan performed extremely well under the pressure, crossing the finish line to the cheers of Australian fans. She took the lead from the very start of the race and didn’t give it up at any point.
She finished the race as the winner by more than a second and a half over Gevvie Stone of the USA, who claimed the silver medal.
Duan Jingli of China finished in third to claim the bronze medal, while Brennan’s Antipodean rival Emma Twigg of New Zealand finished in fourth.
“The race just happened so fast. It feels like a blur,” said Brennan after the win. “I was all prepared for a tough, physical race.”
Brennan said she couldn’t believe that she was an Olympic gold medallist.
“I’m just so happy I could pull it off. My sole focus was to be tall and to breathe and to race my race. It wasn’t so much about the margin, over that last bit, I just had to make sure I stayed clean.”
Brennan has previously won both silver and bronze Olympic medals at London 2012, winning silver in the women’s double sculls with partner Brooke Pratley, and bronze in the single event.
Her gold medal brings Australia to a total of six in Rio, just two short of the nation’s total of eight won at London 2012.
aussikiwi
Guest
My point was not about the NZ media, which is bad but no worse than channel 7 and the Terror in Sydney. It was about Rebellion blaming the athlete for this, and rejoicing in her not even getting a medal. A continuation of his anti kiwi rants which mainly appear on the rugby pages.
delbeato
Roar Guru
This is impressive!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
That is a ''win at all costs " attitude mate and of course a typical Australian attitude at that ~ "Money, what's that?, and you'd better win also and make sure you do, you're on the Taxpayers books as they are your Employer! and don't you forget it".
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Yeah but you guys are green and yellow supporters! ~ speaks for itself, try getting your heads out!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
And of course the Australian media aren't doing the same now are they?, it cuts all ways mate only the Aussies are right up there with the Yanks in eternal blow!! ~ The Australians are poor losers and incredibly bad winners and they've always done it. Just a reminder princess that Australia has one of the biggest teams at the Olympics, any Olympics all Taxpayer funded, so that being the case and the fact that Athletes are Professionals now with there being no such thing as Amateur Sport these days, why don't the Aussies do better than they do? I've seen a run down off the Australian Olympic Budget and overall cost per Athlete and it's obscene absolutely! ~ how can a Country like Australia which is reputed to be broke afford that sort of carry on Aussie' have always regarded themselves as being the benchmark and Gods gift to World Sport, when they never have been, ~ and it only takes a tiny Country like New Zealand with around 75 Athletes in the squad to kick your butt every now and again which they do. New Zealand has a marvellous record at Olympics which I don't need to go into now, but considering their size and budget they work with they're probably on a per capita percentage by Country team size, ~ a hell of a lot better than your guys! Emma Twigg would have been the beaten favourite last night but everyone's entitled to have a bad one, in fact she had a shocker,~ there's nothing between them overall really! You know what annoyed me with that race, was the Australian Announcer, it was so, so, bad the sugar was running down my TV screen, absolutely dreadful. but pretty much all Aussie Announcers regardless of the sport do the same, and the only time they shut their blowing down is when one of their own isn't doing any good!
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Jeez , what a blinding list of talent !
delbeato
Roar Guru
I agree. It's the kiss of death.
Casper
Guest
Mike - never really thought about where our best basketballers originated from, but you are right. You can also throw in Mills, Exum and Simmons having played Aussie Rules as well. Just shows how important the game is to the country.
James
Guest
I agree with Rebellion, the kiwi media has been atrocious these games hyping up athletes for gold like the rowing, Val adams, equestrian, the kiwi girl in the time trial road race, 7s rugby yet all fell well below expectations. NZSPORT even confirmed Val adams the gold medal winner on thier social media page even though there was still one more competitor to have her throw. Ironically she went on to win the gold. That was disgraceful and a slap in the face. . Now they are hyping the sailors , Lydia in golf and Lisa carrington. Just let the athletes be! I thought this sort of stuff was reserved for Aussie swimming. Congrats on Kim, she showed the goods when it mattered.
Casper
Guest
Depends whether you would rather see someone do something awesome once every four years, or seem them do it on a weekly basis.
Kurt
Guest
+1 If you want to be happy with participating, take up a join a social sports club. This is the best competing for no.1 spot
Kurt
Guest
Shows what a waste of atheletic prowess afl is
Kurt
Guest
+1 You want to have fun join a social team. This is the olympics. The goverment money invested in them is in the 100s of million.
aussikiwi
Guest
Haha you really are a sad one aren't you? Well done to Kim, i suppose she is a role model to the Matildas too?
Rebellion
Guest
Isn't it wonderful news that NZ's Emma Twigg finished out of the medals after the Kiwi media talked her up and rubbished the Australian teams performances. You are a true champion Kim and role model to all of our neighbours across the Tasman
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Casper Good observation ! I was speaking to a mate last night in the US who coaches basketball at Florida State University and he was commenting on how good our basketballers are based on their Aussir Rules backgrounds . The jumping, lateral movement , eye/hand coordination and hustling have lots of parallels and similarities to our national game . All of our best basketballers have come from Melbourne - Gaze , Longley , Bogut , Dellevadova !
rasty
Guest
This lady is awesome.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Nico With that attitude , It will be another 8 years before Australia wins gold again - competition is about winning ,not participating., That's why there are medals !
Casper
Guest
Once again the child of a former AFL player has produced a gold medal.
Nico
Guest
Participationis is more important then winning. I have enjoyed seeing athletes from the countries less well known for their sporting achievements compete.