Brazil’s Thiago Braz da Silva set a new Olympic record of 6.03m to claim gold in the men’s pole vault at Rio 2016.
Defending champion Renaud Lavillenie of France looked on course to retain his title after clearing a height of 5.98m.
Da Silva, who passed at 5.98m, failed his first attempt at 6.03m, but the 22-year-old went clear with his second to win Brazil’s second gold medal.
Lauvillenie had to settle for silver, while American Sam Kendricks took bronze with a best effort of 5.85m.
The pole vault competition was delayed because of rain and then held up with a mechanical fault that temporarily saw the bar unable to be raised, but ended in a thrilling conclusion that finished just before midnight local time, reports the BBC.
Da Silva added 11 centimetres to his previous personal best to set a new national record and become the first Brazilian gold medallist in an athletics event since Maurren Maggi won the women’s long jump in 2008.
Congratulations to him
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