Two-time world champion Kerron Clement finally won his first individual Olympic title at Rio 2016 as he battled to victory in the 400-meter hurdles.
In the only Athletics final of the morning session, the American, who was the world champion in the event in 2007 and 2009, got off to a strong start and held off the challenge of Boniface Tumuti on the home straight to take his third Olympic gold medal.
In a race that saw as season best, a personal best, and four national records set, perennial underachiever Javier Culson once again failed to deliver when he false-started.
Culson out before the first hurdle
Many see Culson as someone who has failed to live up to expectations, having never taken a major title, and he once again disappointed by false-starting.
As the false-started klaxon rang out, it was clear that it was the Puerto Rican who had gone off too early, and he too knew it as he held his head in his hands and mournfully walked off the track.
Clement starts strongly and holds on for victory
The remaining seven athletes were off safely the second time, with Clement getting off to one of the best starts. Aso starting well were Yasmani Copello and Annsert Whyte , with then Kenyan duo of Tumuti and Haron Koech, both on the outside lanes, quickly getting near to the front of the race.
Over the middle 200 meters, Clement started to power ahead, with Koech dropping back slightly, and Thomas Barr and Rasmus Magi making up a little ground on the likes of the American, Tumuti, Coppello and Whyte.
As they approached the final 100 meters the American had a slight lead, though Tumuti was not too far behind and seemed to be finishing quickly, whilst Whyte was slowly overhauled by Barr, who was trying to chase down Coppello.
It looked as if Tumuti would be able to pull Clement back, though the American held firm and took the gold medal in a time of 47.73 seconds, with Tumuti taking silver in 47.78s.
Coppello held off a strong finish from Barr to take the bronze medal. The Irishman finished in fourth, with Whyte in fifth, Magi in sixth and Koech in seventh.