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South Africa's Henri Schoeman has claimed gold in the men's triathlon at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Southport Broadwater Parklands on Thursday 5 April.
Schoeman broke away on the run leg to beat fast finishing Australian Jacob Birtwhistle, while Scotland’s Marc Austin claimed bronze.
It was South Africa's first ever triathlon gold medal at a Commonwealth Games.
In wet and stormy conditions, the 26-year-old finished seven seconds clear of Australia's Birtwhistle.
It was a well thought out race from Schoeman, one of the favourites, who exited the swim in third place, three seconds behind two-time Olympic champion and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alistair Brownlee and New Zealand's Tayler Reid.
But it wasn't long before the chasing pack caught up with the two leaders on the bike ride and it took a strong running effort from Schoeman, who finished fourth at Glasgow 2014.
With his brother Alistair, who had hip surgery last year, dropping off at the start of the run, Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Glasgow 2014 silver medallist Jonathan chased for a while with Austin, Reid and Hauser, before being overtaken by the fast-finishing Birtwhistle.
Schoeman, who was the first South African to win an Olympic triathlon medal after finishing third at Rio 2016, raised his right index finger to the air and then two arms aloft as he crossed the finish line, kissing the winning tape to celebrate.
Australia's junior world champion Matthew Hauser finished fourth.
Birtwhistle had an incredible run leg to break away from the chasing pack to finish second, but the gap to Schoeman proved too much.
Henri Schoeman crosses the finish line to win gold. Photo:
