New Zealand rocketed up the Olympic medal table thanks to a stunning effort by the country’s rowers at Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo yesterday.
The Kiwis collected two gold and a silver in about 60 minutes.
Agony finally gave way to the sweet feeling of success
"Crossing the line it was disbelief," the 34-year-old said afterwards.
"I didn't actually hear the hooter and I thought for a minute I'd stopped before [the end]. I'm lost for words. I can't believe it."
What a sight it was. The big black boat had edged its way to the front of the field by the 1000m mark and had opened up a handy lead at the next checkpoint.
Near the front of the boat was New Zealand’s most decorated rower and one of our greatest Olympians, Hamish Bond.
Dunedin-born Bond won gold with Eric Murray in the coxless pair in London and Rio. He also claimed bronze on the bike in the time trial at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
About halfway through the hour of power, the New Zealand women’s eight won silver.
Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler, who won gold in the women’s pair on Thursday, helped power the women on to the podium.
And on dry land, the tennis doubles team of Michael Venus and Marcus Daniell added a bronze to the New Zealand medal tally after beating the US combination of Austin Krajicek and Tennys Sandgren 7-6 (3), 6-2.
