Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Team GB win historic canoe silver and bag trap shooting bronze
Mallory Franklin claimed a historic silver in the women’s canoe slalom as Team GB recovered from earlier disappointments on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Franklin was pipped only by New Zealand’s Jessica Fox in the first ever staging of the women’s C1 event at an Olympic Games.
The 27-year-old from Windsor, a former world and European champion, led until the final run, in which world No1 Fox produced a flawless display.
“I’ve had a struggle in my finals so to put down a run like that, even with that touch [of the 15th gate], was amazing for me,” Franklin said.
“I didn’t lose time with [the touch] and it was easy to keep building and stay focused. I hate then sitting watching people and you never know what will happen.”
Fox is the daughter of British canoeist Richard Fox, a 10-time world champion who came fourth at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics.
Bronze for Team GB in men’s trap shooting
Matthew Coward-Holley, meanwhile, recovered from a shaky start to win bronze for Team GB in the men’s trap shooting.
The world and European champion missed three of his first 10 targets but responded by making 14 successive hits to score 33 out of 40 and finish third.
Czech pair Jiri Liptak and David Kostelecky won gold and silver respectively.
“Being my first Olympic final, the first little bit is always that little bit of tension, that little bit of nerves,” Coward-Holley said.
“You’ve just got to relax and trust yourself that you can do it. It’s a mix of emotions. I’m a bit lost for words. It’s my first Olympics so to come away with a medal, it’s phenomenal.”
Coward-Holley, 26, from Chelmsford will aim for gold again in the mixed team even alongside Kirsty Hegarty on Saturday.