LONDON: Britain's Jason Kenny claimed his first individual gold medal Monday when he stunned Frenchman Gregory Bauge 2-0 to win track cycling's Olympic sprint title.
Australian Shane Perkins beat Trinidad's Njisane Phillip to the bronze.
Kenny was given the nod over defending champion Sir Chris Hoy to defend Britain's chances of sprint gold at his home Games after the rules were changed to limit each nation to one rider per event.
Four years after finishing second to Hoy in Beijing, Kenny did not turn his nose up at the opportunity.
After his runner-up place to Bauge at the Melbourne world championships in April, the 24-year-old from Bolton signalled his intent from day one by qualifying fastest in the 200m flying lap.
He then sailed through the rounds to set up a duel with Bauge, the three-time world champion who had been expected to hand France their first title in the event since Daniel Morelon in 1972.
Kenny's gold is the fifth for Britain after seven finals at the velodrome.
The hosts also have gold medal hopes in the three finals which are held on the last day of competition Tuesday.
Comments
Comments are closed.