Rio Olympics: Staffordshire's Joe Clarke wins gold on Team GB's best day so far

After the agony of David Florence's last-placed finish on Tuesday, kayaker Clarke lit up a gloomy Whitewater Stadium with the race of his life.

Clarke, 23 and from Stone, not only won Britain's first Olympic medal in the men's K1 since Campbell Walsh at Athens 2004 but secured gold in a time of 88.53 seconds.

Diving duo Jack Laugher and Chris Mears joined Clarke in powering Team GB to their second and third gold medals of 2016 after a stunning day in Rio.

There were bronze medals for gymnast Max Whitlock, shooter Steven Scott, Tour de France cycling champion Chris Froome, and judo's Sally Conway.

The haul doubled Team GB's medals total to 12.

A jubilant Clarke was stunned by his success.

"I just can't really put it into words," he said. "I'm just so made up.

"I have so many amazing memories of this sport and this just tops all of them in one day."

Clarke admitted his new status as Olympic canoe slalom champion was one to savour.

"It has a nice ring to it," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"Everything pieced together so nicely. I knew I was capable but to put down that run in the Olympic final, it is a dream come true.

"I have spent a lot of time here, I know this course like the back of my hand and it has paid off.

"There has been lots of ups and downs but it is just fantastic.

"When I woke up I struggled to have breakfast I was so nervous with all the emotions. I thought if it goes to plan I could come away with a medal but to be Olympic champion it is something you dream about."

Clarke was happy with the way his performance gained momentum throughout the competition.

"I wanted to build through the rounds. I had a very good qualification, second (in the heats) and third in the semi-finals and then I knew that at the right time it would come naturally.

"I kind of just held it all together and came away with the gold medal."

After moving into the gold medal position Clarke faced an agonising wait until his Olympic title was confirmed while the final two competitors had their runs.

"It was very difficult. I was on edge but I'd done my job and I can't control what they do. I knew I had a bronze and from there it was the silver and then it was the gold, it's just so amazing."