Rowers Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler have won New Zealand's first gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics.
Gold medallists Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler Photo: AFP
Prendergast and Gowler have won the women's pair final, finishing ahead of the Russian Olympic Committee and Canada.
The New Zealanders trailled behind the Canadians for the first 1000 metres, but went past not long after and then held on from the Russians.
Their winning time was three seconds slower than the world best time they recorded in their semi-final yesterday.
Gold medallists Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler pose in their boat following their women's pair final win. Photo: AFP
Gowler told Sky she was unsure they had won when they crossed the line.
"We crossed and I was like 'was someone ahead of us?'...I was just so focused on us. So I was just like did we do it? But honestly I just can't believe it."
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Prendergast and Gowler have dominated the class in recent years, winning world titles in 2017 and 2019.
It is New Zealand's second medal in the rowing in Tokyo after Brooke Donoghue and Hannah Osborne were second in the double sculls yesterday.
Prendergast and Gowler will now back up for the New Zealand women's eight in their final tomorrow.
The energy was electric at NZHQ as proud parents watch Prendergast and Gowler take the Gold #EarnTheFern #Rowing @Auckland_NZ pic.twitter.com/iEdKoYeyDA
— The New Zealand Team (@TheNZTeam) July 29, 2021
It's the 12th gold medal for New Zealand in Olympic rowing history - the country's most successful sport.
It's the fourth Olympic medal in the women's pair, after Seoul 1988 (bronze), London 2012 (bronze) and Rio 2016 (silver).
Kerri Gowler & Grace Prendergast Photo: PhotoSport / Steve McArthur
