“Wonder woman on the water”: Jess Fox’s golden moment
For nine years, disappointment has shrouded Australian olympian Jess Fox.
But now, she has just become an Olympic gold winner in Tokyo for the first ever women’s C1 Olympic final on Thursday afternoon.
Fox is the first slalom paddler to win an Olympic medal of each colour in canoe and kayak events.
The world watched on as Britain’s Mallory Franklin initially took an early lead in the final by registering an astonishing time of 108.68.
Germany’s Andrea Herzog also impressed with a time of 111.13, which earned her a spot in the provisional silver medal position.
Brazilian athlete Ana Satila also had a solid time, but she sadly copped a brutal 50-second penalty for narrowly missing Gate 22.
Fox quickly passed the first checkpoint more than two seconds ahead of Franklin‘s time.
She briefly got stuck at Gate 15, however she showed her talent by quickly escaping from the white water at Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre.
Fox secured a historic gold medal with an unbelievable time of 105.04.
She was three seconds faster than anyone else.
“She is a wonder woman on the water. What a performance!” Channel 7 commentator David Culbert cried.
Fox’s mother and coach could be seen embracing the champion moments after she completed her run.
Australia has reacted in pure elation, with Australian Paralympian Kurt Fearnley tweeting: “JESS FOX!!!!!!!! You are my freaking hero!!!!! So amazing!!!!”
JESS FOX!!!!!!!! You are my freaking hero!!!!! So amazing!!!! 😭😭😭😭 #Tokyo2020
— Kurt Fearnley (@kurtfearnley) July 29, 2021
Channel 7 reporter Tom Browne wrote: “I don’t think there has ever been a more deserved gold medal winner. Jess Fox is a legend. Completely compelling.”
Fox Sports presenter Sarah Olle shared her own message: “The Olympics are so cool because you become inexplicably happy for someone you don’t know. Thanks for the ear to ear smile, Jess.”
Aussie tennis star Dylan Alcott wrote: “JESS FOX YOU FLAT OUT LEGEND!!! OLYMPIC CHAMPION! Could not think of an athlete more deserving – an incredible athlete but an even better person. YES!”
JESS FOX YOU FLAT OUT LEGEND!!! OLYMPIC CHAMPION!! Could not think of an athlete more deserving - an incredible athlete but an even better person. YES! @jessfoxcanoe #tokyo2020 #olympics #gold
— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) July 29, 2021
Fox promised she would return for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
“It was amazing to be a part of this women’s C1 event here in Tokyo for the first time ever,” she told Channel 7.
“It was a tough couple of days – mentally, emotionally, it took everything out of me. So to put down a run that I’m proud of, I’m over the moon.
“I hope we’ve inspired some girls and boys today … I felt the love over from Australia.”