20-year-old swimmer and university student Mack Horton has claimed Australia’s first gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Horton, who is enrolled in a commerce degree at the Australian Catholic University, took home the gold in the men’s 400-metre freestyle, beating China’s defending champion Sun Yang, who tested positive for doping in May 2014.
Horton, who won with a personal best time of 3:41.55 seconds, told the 7 Network, “I just kept telling myself that I had this that I was in control and that I could do it.”
Since his gold medal swim, Horton has received praise from Australia’s former 400-metre freestyle champion Ian Thorpe:
@_mackhorton welcome to the Australian 400m Olympic Champion Club! Well done mate!!
— Ian Thorpe (@IanThorpe) August 7, 2016
Italy’s Gabriele Detti won the bronze medal in Rio’s 400-metre freestyle final, while Horton’s countryman David McKeon placed seventh.
Horton’s victory was Australia’s second medal on day one of Rio 2016, after the men’s archery team won bronze. Australia’s women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team have also taken home gold in the pool.
Catch the closing moments of Horton’s gold medal race, below.
#Gold to @_mackhorton #AUS in the men’s 400m freestyle! #Swimming #Rio2016 #BeInspiredbytheBest https://t.co/es5jogFcTr
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 7, 2016
