Ken Wallace of Australia celebrates after the men’s kayak single (K1) 500m final at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. Ken Wallace of Australia won the gold medaL. (Xinhua/Jiang Enyu) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Australian paddler Ken Wallace triumphed in the men's kayak single (K1) 500m at the Beijing Olypmics by hitting the finish line with a 0.378 second margin in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Saturday.

    He finished the race in 1:37.252. Canadian Adam van Koeverden won the silver medal (1:37.630) and British Tim Brabants the bronze (1:37. 671).

    The Canadian took the lead in most of the race, closely followed by the Australian and the British paddlers. In the last 100-meter sprint, Wallace paddled hard and overtook the leader in the last sprint.

    "Five hundred metres is so tight. It was close between everyone but I was pleased with the finish," the British paddler said in the mixed zone.

    "I was mentally and physically quite drained today," he added.

    "I've already come away with a gold medal so far. I knew I was on form today - I've got to be happy," the bronze medallist said.

    Van Koeverden is the holder of the world best time for men's kayak single 500m. He created a new world best time by finishing the heat race with a result of one minute and 35.554 seconds in the heat races on Tuesday.

    The Canadian flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony of Beijing Olympics, has been unbeatable during his 2008 World Cup series while Brabants and Wallace have long been considered serious medal prospects at the Beijing Games.

Ken Wallace of Australia celebrates after the men’s kayak single (K1) 500m final at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. Ken Wallace of Australia won the gold medaL. (Xinhua/Jiang Enyu) Photo Gallery>>>