Tame Our Newest Bronzed Aussie

NSWIS paddler Lachlan Tame has capped off his debut Olympics by winning bronze in the sprint canoe K2 1000m.

Joined by Beijing individual gold medallist Ken Wallace, the Australians produced a stirring fight over the final stages of the race to edge ahead of the crew from Portugal.

“I’m speechless, you couldn’t expect anything going into that race, I was little surprised at the end, so I’m stoked,” Tame said.

“I can’t thank my family and friends at home enough for all their support.”

The Australians clocked a time of 3mins 12secs, behind the world champions Germany, who just held out a fast-finishing Serbia to win the gold.

“I had no idea where we were. I knew we were paddling. You can’t really focus on anything. You can feel a pink boat over there, the Germans…and felt the Serbs move,” he said.

“We just had to give it everything we had and get to that point in the race, that’s where it happens in the last 250. You can be first and get eighth.”

Tame spoke after the race about his journey from surf ski champion to Olympic medallist in six years.

He said it began as a bet with a friend at Avoca Surf Club in 2010.

Now, he is an Olympic bronze medallist.

Riley Fitzsimmons makes his Olympic debut this evening in the heats of the K4 1000m.

Australia is the defending champion in the event after winning gold in London.

Fitzsimmons and Tame are clubmates at Avoca Surf Club and last year joined together to win the club’s first ever Ski Relay title at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.