MARSEILLE: Maximilian Maeder was overwhelmed when speaking to reporters on Friday (Aug 9) after he clinched an Olympic bronze medal in the men’s kitefoiling event.
The Singaporean ended his country’s eight-year wait for an Olympic podium finish since swimmer Joseph Schooling won gold in 2016.
Maeder, 17, has also become the youngest Singaporean to win an Olympic medal.
“I hope everybody back at home is happy … the support, it’s absolutely phenomenal. Happy birthday Singapore,” he told reporters.
Austria’s Valentin Bontus won the gold medal, while Slovenia’s Toni Vodisek, the opening series leader, took silver.
Both had entered Race 3 in the finals with two wins on the board. In the final, competitors need three race wins to secure gold – and it was the Austrian who got there first.