Maris Strombergs of Latvia overcame the threat of a handful of strong, younger challengers to become the Olympics' first double BMX champion yesterday.
Australian Sam Willoughby finished second for the silver with Carlos Oquendo of Colombia taking the bronze.
Strombergs, 25, claimed the maiden Olympic men's BMX gold when the sport made its debut in Beijing four years ago.
And despite coming up against younger riders who had shown their mettle in the unforgiving quarter-final and semi-final races, the Latvian stepped up when it mattered most.
He shot off the eight-metre high ramp and quickly built a slight lead on the rest of the eight-man field. Willoughby, 20, was hot on his heels but with several jumps and berms to negotiate, neither rider was free of danger.
Despite Willoughby's attempt at a late fightback on the closing bumps, Strombergs held on to triumph.
Before the competition, the Latvian had expressed his doubts in the face of strong competition.
After winning gold, he said: "It's so tiring and I still can't believe it. Deep inside I was confident but I think my nerves got the best of me, especially at the beginning of the race yesterday and today.
"But I tried to keep calm and I had a good conversation with my coach before the last moto [race] and deep inside I was confident.
"It's amazing. I still can't believe it. I need a few more minutes, man. It's just amazing."
Meanwhile, the former world champion Mariana Pajon, of Colombia, won gold in the women's BMX final after finishing ahead of New Zealand's Sarah Walker and Dutchwoman Laura Smulders.
Pajon burst down the start ramp and took the lead from the outset on the 440m women's circuit and was never headed.
At 20 years old, Pajon was the second youngest in the final behind 18-year-old Smulders and was one of the standout performers in the whole competition having won all three of her qualifying races on the way to the final.
"I can't believe it. It's like a dream come true," said Pajon, who claimed the women's world title in Copenhagen in 2011.
"My whole life I am trying to win this. I want to win it again. I want go out the gate and win it again. It's unbelievable."
* Agence France-Presse
The Final Shot, s16
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
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Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie
Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)
Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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Meydan race card
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 2,000m
8.50pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; (D) 2,000m
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream