Youth Games: Barclay wins first NZ gold

Aaron Barclay celebrates winning the triathlon in Singapore yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Triathlete Aaron Barclay produced a wire-to-wire performance to win gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore yesterday.

Barclay, from Riversdale in Southland, dominated to be first on to the bike and the run before clearing out from American Kevin McDowell to win in 54m 41s in a superb performance.

The 17-year-old becomes the first New Zealander to win a medal at the first Youth Olympic Games.

"It is pretty incredible. I am very proud to do this for New Zealand because I really love my country," Barclay said.

He said his front-running tactics were a key. "I was trying not to give the other guys an inch. They were all unknown to me before the race so I had to be aggressive."

Barclay was first off the bike but by the halfway mark on the 5km run he had been caught by McDowell as the pair pulled away from the front pack of nine.

However, the New Zealander put the pressure on with the American falling off the pace in the final kilometre.

Barclay said the day was special, winning the gold in front of his parents and grandparents, as well as Athens Olympic champion Hamish Carter.

"It is really awesome to race well for them because they have come a long way ... I wouldn't be here right now without them. It's awesome to give a little bit back to them, too."

Barclay will have a few days to recover before competing in the mixed event with teammate Maddie Dillon on Thursday.

Dillon, 16, was eighth in the junior women's race after being forced to come from near the rear of the field out of the swim.

The 57-strong New Zealand team is among 3600 athletes aged 14 to 18 from 205 nations to contest the first Youth Olympic Games, which is the brainchild of International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge.

- NZPA