If day 5 of the 2016 Rio Olympics was any indication, some of the best betting has been on Team GB and their mission to round up more medals. The team took in two gold medals and four bronze medals in various sports to put a victorious tone on the day of events.
British divers Chris mears and Jack Laugher were able to claim the ultimate victory on Wednesday and ended up with gold medals around their necks. The pair were able to earn a combined score that totaled 454.32 points, enough to beat out China and stand atop the podium in first place.
Seven years ago, Chris Mears needed surgery to save his life after he ruptured his spleen while diving in a 2009 event. Needless to say, the win was a very emotional experience for the now 23-year-old Mears. He says that he has “come from death’s door to here. I’m pretty proud.” Laugher and Mears both train at the same facility back home in Leeds. In honor of their victory, the facility can be seen illuminated with golden lights for the immediate future.
Inspired as a young child to paddling, kayaker Joe Clarke has certainly come a long way. Hailing from Stone in Staffordshire, Clarke came out on top and won gold in the men’s K1 kayak event. The best betting apps and sportsbooks may have not reflected this, because Clarke was not among the favorites coming in to win a gold medal. However, his time of 88.53 seconds was enough to prove the odds wrong and give Team GB its first kayaking triumph in over a decade.
Clarke keeps a photograph at home. This photo hangs on the wall and is a picture of Sir Steve Redgrave, a champion rower who signed the photo and wrote the words “Leave no stone unturned.” The phrase echoes deeply as Clarke reflects on his confidence in his efforts. “I knew I was capable of such a performance, but to put it down in the Olympic final is just a dream come true.”
Cyclist Chris Froome was the recipient of a bronze medal, placing third in the men’s time trial. This caps off what he referred to as an “amazing summer” of events for him. Just a few weeks ago, Froome was triumphant in his third Tour de France win.
It was a battle of compatriots in the double trap shoot-off, but Steven Scott was able to earn a higher score than Tim Kneale, earning Scott the bronze and finishing out a dramatic event for competitor and spectators alike.
In Judo, Team GB athlete Sally Conway was not able to gets past the semi-finals in -70kg competition, but she managed to come out on top against Austrian judoka Bernadette Graf in the bronze bout and receive the medal.
The first medal in the men’s gymnastics all-around event for Britain since 1908 finally came when Max Whitlock put on a solid performance and placed third. A medal that was 108 years in the making officially gave Team GB six for the day.