Australia beats Canada in thriller to win men’s beach volleyball gold
Australia has won beach volleyball gold in a tense men's final against Canada which went down to the wire in a deciding set.
Christopher McHugh and Damien Schumaan came out on top in a thrilling three-setter, beating Samuel Pedlow and Sam Schachter two sets to one.
McHugh regularly came up big in the late clutch points to give the Aussies a one-set lead, before Canada levelled the ledger thanks to scrambling saves from Pedlow, diving at full stretch to save a smash and allow Schachter to finish off perfectly.
Locked at a set apiece, the wheels looked like they were starting to fall off for the Australian pair, only for a crucially-timed streak of points allowed Australia to level at 12-12 in the decider.
It looked to have shaken the Canadians with some errant serving, with Australia wrapping up the final set 18-16.
"I can't believe that just happened," an ecstatic Schumaan said.
"After being behind 9-12 [in the third set], we thought we'd just ride it out and see what happened.
"To win a gold medal is absolutely unbelievable. The Canadians are a top 10 side and they are incredible."
The women's final later on Thursday will see a repeat, with Australia taking on Canada.
More bowls gold
Australia won the gold medal in the B6-B7-B8 triples in lawn bowls on Thursday afternoon.
Australia's team of Josh Thornton, Tony Bonnell and Ken Hanson beat New Zealand 14-13.
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ABC .net
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