FRENCH TOAST
Team GB win gold in modern pentathlon as Kate French storms to first place after incredible laser-run at Tokyo 2020
KATE FRENCH ran away from the rest of the world to land a magnificent modern pentathlon gold medal.
The 30-year-old was in contention from the start of the day after a sixth-placed finish in the fencing round in Tokyo.
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She opened day two with a best-ever swim and handled her horse brilliantly to pick up just six time faults.
French's incredible work on the horse was all the more impressive having only had 20 minutes to get to know her ahead of the event.
Then-leader Annika Schleu was among the competitors to endure a jumping nightmare.
And that meant French began the laser run just 15 seconds behind leader Uliana Batashova of Russia.
But that was nothing for French - who finished this event in fifth at Rio 2016.
The Team GB star kept her nerve on the shoot to ensure her brilliant running was rewarded.
After clinching gold, a clearly stunned French told BBC Sport: "I actually don’t know what just happened.
"I can’t believe it right now.
"I just knew I had to focus and I knew I could do it if I focused on my shooting and ran as fast as I could.
"Thanks to my team supporting here and to my family at home.
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"I couldn't have done it without them."
French's gold was Britain's 18th of these Games - taking the overall medal tally to an impressive 55.
Team GB are now just ten medals adrift of their London 2012 tally and 12 off their record Rio 2016 haul.
Kate French thanks friends and Team GB after winning gold at modern pentathlon at Tokyo Olympics
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