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Tokyo Olympics: Logan Martin in the box seat for gold heading into BMX freestyle final

Roger Vaughan & Chris RobinsonThe West Australian
Logan Martin in the air.
Camera IconLogan Martin in the air. Credit: Ben Curtis/AP

Two-time BMX freestyle world champion Logan Martin says he’s holding some tricks up his sleeve for tomorrow’s final as he looks to add to Australia’s growing medal tally in Tokyo.

Martin was the only rider to score more than 90 points in Saturday’s two seeding rounds at the Ariake Sports Park as freestyle made its Olympic debut.

The 27-year-old dominated, scoring 91.90 and 90.04 to lead with an average of 90.97. He will now start last in Sunday’s medal round, as he did in Saturday’s two rounds.

“I’m definitely stoked to be in the Olympic spirit, representing Australia,” he said.

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“It’s such an amazing thing. We’re making history for freestyle BMX. It’s cool to be a part of it.

“Tomorrow just one run counts, so you do sort of hold back. I didn’t do too many big tricks today.

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“I just kept it clean and consistent and that worked for me today.

“Tomorrow I’ll have a few more things that I’m going to bring out to pull my best run and try to top the other riders.”

Logan Martin in action.
Camera IconLogan Martin in action. Credit: Ben Curtis/AP

Japan’s Rim Nakamura is second overall as he chases a home-town gold.

Aussie Natalya Diehm, who has endured four knee reconstructions, is fifth out of nine riders in the women’s competition.

She scored 77.40 and 79.00 to average 78.20 heading into her medal round.

American Hannah Roberts, the three-time world champion, leads on 87.70 and compatriot Perris Benegas is second on 86.50.

Australia was aiming for two medals in the men’s event, but former world champion Brandon Loupos needed a knee reconstruction after he was injured at last month’s world titles.

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Meanwhile, defending Olympic BMX champion Connor Fields has suffered a brain haemorrhage in a horror semi-finals crash at Tokyo but has been moved out of intensive care.

Officials said on Saturday the American had been transferred to a high-level care wing at a Tokyo hospital.

They said a neurosurgeon had been on standby in case surgery was needed for the 28 year old from Las Vegas to relieve pressure on his brain.

But the most recent CT scan showed no additional brain injury and officials said doctors were confident that Fields would not need surgery.

The Rio gold medallist also sustained a collapsed lung and broken ribs in the crash.

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