YOG 2010: Windsurfer Martin wins medal race to bag bronze

From Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Singapore

 WINDSURFER Kieran Martin saved his best for last and bagged himself Youth Olympic Games bronze for his troubles in Singapore.

ON THE PODIUM: Kieran Martin saves his best for last to ensure a place on the podium in Singapore (Singapore Press Holdings)

The 15-year-old went into the final day of racing in the Lion City needing to finish ahead of Korean rival Chaneui Kim to guarantee himself a spot on the podium.

And Martin did that in style at the National Sailing Centre, winning the medal race to earn himself a place on the podium at the inaugural event in the Far East.

His victory ensured Martin finished on 32 points - just one behind silver medallist Chun Leung Michael Cheng of Hong Kong, while gold went to Mayan Rafic of Israel [22].

But despite the nail-biting conclusion to the race Martin insisted he was always confident he could produce the goods.

"It's absolutely fantastic to have got the bronze medal, I'm really pleased," said Martin. 

"I had a few nerves before the race but then once I was on the water it all went perfectly.

"I had a good start and then just concentrated on doing everything that I had been doing all week and it all worked out really well.

"It feels great to have got on the podium because I finished fourth at the world junior championships earlier this year.

"It's been amazing being out at the Games and I have got so many happy memories from being here.

"It's such a good achievement and I am so happy.  It's been a great honour to come out to Singapore and be part of the first Olympic Games and to get a medal is amazing."

Martin's medal is the 13th won by a Brit in Singapore. Oliver Golding has won tennis doubles gold while Carian Scudamore has topped the podium in the team show jumping event.

Taekwondo player Jade Jones won Great Britain's first gold while Sam Oldham also got his hands on gold in the horizontal bar competition, as did rowers Georgia Howard-Merrill and Fiona Gammond.

Oldham also collected pommel horse silver while there was a bronze apiece for swmmers Rachael Kelly and Ellie Faulkner.

On the athletics track, Charlie Grice claimed 1000m bronze while David Bolarinwa secured 100m bronze as well as medley relay silver, while Annie Tagoe also got her hands on medley relay bronze.

But while Martin was claiming his spot on the podium there was disappointment for compatriot Jade Rogers.

She went into the medal race eyeing a spot in the top ten in the final standings but despite grabbing her best finish of the competition - seventh place - she had to make do with 11th.

However despite that setback Rogers was in no mood to be downbeat about her Far Eastern adventure.

"This has been an absolutely fantastic event," said Rogers.   "It has been nothing like what I thought it would be like and I have learned a lot from it.

"For me now I hope to be able to keep improving now and one day go to a senior Olympics because this has been a great experience." 

  Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012