[VIDEO] Damir Martin Gets Better of Mahe Drysdale in Epic Olympic Rowing Final Rematch
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Damir Martin
There was no need for a photo-finish to separate Croatian rower Damir Martin and New Zealand’s Mahe Drysdale this time.
Martin has beaten Drysdale on Sunday in New Zealand on the Whanganui River at the annual Billy Webb Challenge.
Martin ended up on the podium in 3rd place, whilst Drysdale finished back in 6th place.
The race today was billed as a rematch of the the final of the Men’s single sculls at the Rio Olympics, when the pair raced what has been called the most epic race in rowing history.
With times identical on the clock and after initially being called a tie, Martin was beaten in a photo-finish by defending Olympic champion Drysdale.
The decision was keenly debated over the following days, with the Croatian Olympic Committee officially challenging the decision.
Today the result was different as Martin, who has been training in New Zealand for the last few weeks, pulled away from Drysdale early in the race.
Damir Martin on the podium today (photo: Billy Webb Challenge)
The pair however could not match Germany’s rising star Tim Ole Neske who won the gruelling 5km race. Ole Neske is the World U-23 Champion.
