New Zealand’s Finn Butcher is the Olympics' first men's kayak cross gold medallist, dominating the final in the frenetic event in his Games debut in Paris.
Having won his quarter-final and coming second in the semi-final, Butcher flew off the platform in the final and never looked back, winning comfortably and claiming the third Kiwi gold at these Games.
The 29-year-old, born in Dunedin but who grew up in Alexandra, beat the world number one Joe Clarke of Great Britain and Noah Hegge of Germany.
He was a reserve for the Tokyo Olympics.
Butcher gained the quota spot for New Zealand by finishing 11th at last year’s World Championships. He then won silver in the Olympic test event on the Paris course.
Finn Butcher wins gold. (Source: Associated Press)
Kayak cross replaced the K1 200 metres in flat water canoe sprint for these Olympics, an event which Dame Lisa Carrington dominated.
His women's canoe slalom compatriot Luuka Jones watched on proudly as "The Butcher", as he was nicknamed by commentators, charged home for glory.
"Holy s**t! He did it, he did it!" she said as he crossed the line.
"This will do so much for our sport," she added.
Jones, a Rio silver medallist, came fifth in her kayak cross competition and confirmed this will likely be her last Olympics as she focuses on time with her family.
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