Matt Graham has claimed Australia’s first medal of the Winter Olympics by taking home silver medal in the men’s moguls.
The 23-year-old leapt into the gold medal position with just three competitors left, registering an impressive 82.57 during his final run.
No.1 ranked Mikael Kingsbury from Canada beat Graham to the gold, scoring a mammoth 86.63.
Matt Graham has claimed Australia’s first medal of the Winter Olympics by taking home a silver medal in the men’s moguls
The 23-year-old leapt into the gold medal position with just three competitors left, registering an impressive 82.57 during his final run, only to be beaten by Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury
Graham, who was a finalist at the 2014 games in Sochi, celebrated his table-topping final run with Lleyton Hewitt’s c’mon celebration.
The 23-year-old hails from the New South Wales Central Coast, an area more commonly associated with water sports than the slopes.
The task was always going to be a daunting one, with the event’s undisputed champion Kingsbury waiting in wings.
The Canadian, recognised as the Roger Federer of moguls, responded as predicted, throwing down an overwhelming score to again claim gold.
At just 25-years-of-age, Kingsbury is already the most accomplished moguls skiier of all time.
The 23-year-old hails from the New South Wales Central Coast, an area more commonly associated with water sports than the slopes
Following the completion of the event, Graham was full of praise for his rival who he described as a ‘great mate’. ‘He’s one of the greatest sportsman of all time,’ he told Seven
The Australian was ecstatic with his silver, proudly standing on the podium full of smiles before waving a large flag to the crowd.
Following the completion of the event, Graham was full of praise for his rival who he described as a ‘great mate’.
‘He’s one of the greatest sportsman of all time,’ he told Seven.
‘He’s a great friend, a great skiier.’