Jason Kenny successfully defended his Men’s Sprint title on Sunday as he saw off fellow Brit Callum Skinner with little fuss.

The two were both part of the team who won the Men’s Team Sprint earlier on in the games, though it was the more experienced Kenny looked very comfortable as he took his fifth Olympic title, and second of Rio 2016.

In the competition for the bronze medal, it was Denis Dmitriev who took the minor medal, seeing off Matthew Glaetzer in just two races.

Bronze competition: Dmitriev eases to bronze

Dmitriev started this sprint, slowly controlling the pace and picking it up with a lap and a half to go. The Russian went off quickly down the back straight and despite the fact that it looked like Glaetzer could mount a challenge around the final corner, Dmitriev held firm and took a comfortable victory in the first race.

Denis Dmitriev and Matthew Glaetzer in action during their bronze medal race off (AFP/Eric Feferberg)
Denis Dmitriev and Matthew Glaetzer in action during their bronze medal race off (AFP/Eric Feferberg)

With the Australian leading the second race, very little happened until a lap and a half to go where he pushed on quickly. Glaetzer was quick down the track, but not quick enough as Dmitriev caught up with him around the final corner and edged past the Australian to take the bronze medal with little fuss.

Denis Dmitriev celebrates after taking bronze (Getty/Phil Walter)
Denis Dmitriev celebrates after taking bronze (Getty/Phil Walter)

Gold competition: Kenny wins battle of the Brits

Skinner was drawn on the inside for the first race and controlled the pace, going slowly until increasing the pace with two laps to go. The younger of the two went off quickly but went off when he was not in a good position and Kenny easily caught him around the final corner, easing to victory in the first race.

Callum Skinner leads Jason Kenny during the first race of the Men's Team Sprint final (Getty/Ian MacNicol)
Callum Skinner leads Jason Kenny during the first race of the Men's Team Sprint final (Getty/Ian MacNicol)

Coming into the second race Kenny not only had one victory behind his belt but also was at the front as the two slowly moved around the track. Skinner did take some control by going towards the top of the track. The defending champion sprinted off quickly and though Skinner briefly caught up with him, he could not find the extra burst of speed needed and Kenny eased to victory.

Jason Kenny waves to the crowd after securing his fifth Olympic title (Getty/Ian MacNicol)
Jason Kenny waves to the crowd after securing his fifth Olympic title (Getty/Ian MacNicol)

Kenny will look to make history in the Men’s Keirin later this week, where he could win his sixth Olympic title and become one Britain’s most decorated Olympians.

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About the author
Oliver Dickson Jefford
20. English Literature student at the University of Southampton. Aspiring sports journalist from Hertfordshire.