(Right to left) South Africa's James Thompson, Matthew Brittain, Sizwe Ndlovu and John Smith celebrate after winning the gold medal in the men's lightweight four final A of the rowing event during the London 2012 Olympic Games, at Eton Dorney Rowing Centre in Eton, west of London, on Thursday August 2. (AFP)

By AP

Published Thursday, August 02, 2012

SA wins gold in lightweight men's rowing regatta

South Africa stunned pre-race favourites Britain and Denmark by finishing powerfully to win gold in a thrilling lightweight men's four final at the Olympic rowing regatta on Thursday.

The crew of James Thompson, Matthew Brittain, John Smith, Sizwe Ndlovu burst through from lane 5 to catch Denmark, the long-time leader, to win in a time of 6 minutes, 02.84 seconds. Britain just edged the Danes for silver, finishing just 0.25 seconds behind South Africa.

Denmark took the bronze, having won gold in three of the four previous Olympic finals in the lightweight four.

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