Nicolas Gestin dominated the competition in both the semifinal and the final of the single canoe race at Vaires-sur-Marnes Nautical Stadium, claiming gold in stunning style for France.

He was the last to enter the final following his outstanding semi-final. After a brisk run, he finished more than 5 seconds in front of Adam Burgess of Britain, who won silver. Matej Benus, of Slovakia, took bronze.

Gestin was ecstatic. "I'm not sure what to say. It's even better than my dream, this is my best race in my entire life," she said.

Everyone on my team wanted it, including my mentor and my brother. "I knew that I had done a good run when I reached the finish line. Now I will just relax and enjoy."

The whitewater at the stadium was awash with excitement and thrills as the 12 final paddlers battled it out to win the medals. Gestin, however, stole the show.

Yves Bourhis, fourth out of 12 in the finals, looked like he had taken the lead with a thrilling run. But the judges penalized him by 50 seconds for failing to pass the 9th gate, which quickly dampened his spirits after he crossed the finish line.

Bourhis stated, "Unfortunately it is like this. It's sport - I'm just going to accept it, and I don't have any regrets."

Benjamin Savsek, the world's number two and gold-medal winner from Tokyo in 2012, suffered a similar fate after he fell into the fifth barrier. He was penalized 50 seconds for failing to pass it properly.

Liam Jegou of Ireland also suffered a setback when he touched the final and 23rd gate, dropping him to third place with five other paddlers chasing him.

After the German Sideris Tasiaidis, and Spaniard Miquel Trave came in second place. Then it was Briton Burgess who took over.

Gestin, who had dominated the competition in the semi final, then rushed to the finish line and ran a perfect run, earning him a gold medal. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, Editing by Alison Williams & Pritha Sakar