Slovenia’s Benjamin Savsek put on the afterburners in the sixth race of the men’s canoe slalom final to win gold with 98.25. The Czech Republic’s Lukas Rohan won silver (101.96) and Sideris Tasiadis of Germany (103.70) bronze.
Savsek, who made it third time lucky after finishing eighth at London 2012 and sixth in Rio, roared with delight after his penalty-free run, slapping the water at the finish. The four quickest paddlers from the semi-final were still to come though and he watched on anxiously but only Rohan came close. However, neither he nor the trio of Spain's Ander Elosegi, Daniel Watkins of Australia and France’s Martin Thomas could beat the Slovenian’s time, and Savsek's smile lit up the Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre as he realised he was now Olympic champion.
Great Britain’s Adam Burgess just missed out on the medals in fourth place (103.86).