Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Canoe Slalom - Men's C1 - Semifinal - Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre, Tokyo, Japan - July 26, 2021. Martin Thomas of France in action REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
TOKYO (Reuters) - France's Martin Thomas came first in the men's canoe slalom on Monday, beating medal favourites including past silver medalists Matej Benus from Slovakia and Germany's Sideris Tasiadis who did just enough to proceed to the final later in the day.
Benus, who placed ninth among the 10 qualifiers, is looking to claim Slovakia's third gold in the event and its first since 2008. A win by Tasiadis, who placed fifth, would be the first victory by a German since East German paddler Reinhard Eiben won in 1972.
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