February 4, 2024, 17:54 GMT
Updated 1 hour ago
image source, Adam Hübsch
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Hector Pardoe will take part in his second Olympic Games
Hector Pardoe won Britain's first 10km open water world championship medal in 13 years with bronze in Qatar.
It also secured Team GB a third Olympic quota place for the event at the Paris Games this summer.
The 22-year-old is the first Briton to win a medal in the event since Kerri-Anne Payne's gold in 2011.
Pardoe, needing a top-15 finish to secure an Olympic spot, took bronze in the final few strokes in Doha.
“I just wanted to secure Olympic qualification, so winning a medal is even better,” said Pardoe, who competed in the 2021 Tokyo Games.
“Emotions were pretty high as I followed the path of redemption to Tokyo with the eye injury,” Pardoe said.
“I felt great throughout the race (in Doha) and on the last lap I nailed it and followed my strategy perfectly.”
“I went to Tokyo as a 20-year-old without much experience. The experiences I have gained over the last three years will prepare me really well to compete with the big boys in Paris.”
Behind Pardoe there was more good news for Team GB as Tobias Robinson finished 15th to secure the final Olympic quota place in the event, while Leah Crisp secured a quota place with her 17th place in the women's event on Saturday.
Elsewhere there was disappointment for Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding as the pair finished fifth in the men's 3m synchronized diving.
The duo, who have already secured their Olympic quota place in Paris, have won two silver medals at the World Championships, gold in the Commonwealth and two silver medals in diving in the 18 months they have competed together.
Also on Sunday, the Great Britain women's water polo team lost 22-10 to Italy in their first World Cup game since 2013.
The team will play Canada in Group D on Tuesday at 09:00 GMT.
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