Dan Watkins has stepped out of the shadows of Australian teammate Jess Fox, crushing the Kasai canoe slalom course to book a spot in the Olympic C1 medal round.
The Tasmanian qualified for the final in second spot, only trailing Frenchman Martin Thomas, with the medal race later on Monday.
The 25-year-old opened his Olympic campaign with a first-run shocker on Sunday but that was distant memory after his flawless semi-final run.
As well has avoiding any time penalty for touching or missing gates, Watkins’ time of 101.28 was just 0.63 off the fastest run.
Gold medal favourite Matej Benus only qualified in ninth spot, with the top 10 advancing to the medal round.
Watkins’ result means he will be the second-last paddler on course.
AAP
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