Matej Toth of Slovakia overhauled reigning champion Jared Tallent with a perfectly timed surge on the last circuit of the Rio road track on Friday to add the 50km walk Olympic title to the world crown he won last year.
Published : 19 Aug 2016, 11:41 PM
The 33-year-old journalist blew kisses to the crowd as he walked the final kilometer of the grueling test of endurance before completing the course in three hours 40.58 minutes to win his first medal at his fourth Games.
"It's something unbelievable for me," Toth told reporters. "Something like immortality in sport. I'm so proud. So happy. It's a great feeling."
Japan's Hirooki Arai finished a further six seconds back but was later disqualified, leaving Canada's Evan Dunfee to take the bronze medal in 3:41.38.
The Japanese prompted a protest from the Canadian team after barging Dunfee in the back as he passed him for the final time, leaving the Canadian shaking his hands in frustration.
Another silver medal was a huge disappointment for Tallent as both his previous second-place finishes had come behind athletes who were subsequently banned for doping.
"I wanted to win," said the 31-year-old Tallent. "That was the main aim after what happened in London. Getting the gold medal so late, and to be an Olympic champion for more than a few months.
"I gave it everything but probably went a little bit too early. Then Matej caught me with about a lap to go and I just had nothing in the legs. Just couldn't hold on."
World-record holder Yohann Diniz gave the world a graphic illustration of the demands of the race, particularly when played out in energy-sapping heat and bright sunshine.