Australian Natalya Diehm has produced the efficiency of her life to land a shock Olympic bronze medal within the BMX freestyle at La Concorde in Paris.
Whereas a few of her large rivals suffered falls and botched tips within the precarious high-flying biking occasion on Wednesday, the 26-year-old Queenslander produced two very good runs on one other scorching day.
“Oi! Oi! Oi!”, she chanted after her bronze was confirmed, whereas thanking her household again in Australia by way of video.
Diehm completed third behind Chinese language winner Yawen Deng (92.60) and American silver medallist Perris Benegas (90.70), however needed to watch on with fingers crossed as a collection of prime riders tried however didn’t beat the perfect of her two runs, which scored 88.80 factors.
Diehm had solely certified in eighth place on Tuesday however saved her greatest for the ultimate, laying down an instantaneous marker because the second starter.
Her glorious opening run scored over two-and-a-half factors greater than something she had delivered on Tuesday.
She could not fairly produce a greater run second time round, scoring 87.70, however three of her large rivals on the ultimate run all crashed or bailed out early, leaving Diehm to have fun the most important second of her profession.
It had solely been 4 years in the past when she practically give up the game due to lack of funding and harm woes.
“After Tokyo, I did not see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel.
“I simply needed to hold pushing ahead. The one factor I knew for sure, that is not the way in which I wished to exit.”
Now as an Olympic medallist, she stated her hope is the game of BMX will develop off the again of her accomplishment.
“I wished this so dangerous to be the primary Aussie, feminine rider to get a medal at an Olympic Video games.
“I am hoping we’ll get some funding and proceed to develop the game in Australia for females, in addition to males, and the children to encourage them.”
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