MATTHEW Langridge became the first athlete from Northwich to win a gold medal at an Olympic Games when he celebrated glory with Team GB’s men’s eight in Rio on Saturday.

The 33-year-old, along with crewmates Scott Durant, Andrew Triggs Hodge, Matt Gotrel, Pete Reed, Paul Bennett, Will Satch and cox Phelan Hill, produced a dominant a display at the Lagoa.

Installed as favourites after an impressive performance during their heat on Monday, they delivered Britain’s first title in the boat category since Sydney 2000.

They did so in style.

Ahead after 500m, they extended a gap to their rivals – led by defending champions Germany and the Netherlands – by halfway.

The Germans, champions in London four years ago, were unable to recover during a sprint to the line, finishing 1.33s adrift.

Langridge, a bronze medallist in 2012 after bringing back silver from Beijing before that, now has a complete set.

“It’s a bit surreal,” he told BBC Sport afterwards.

“I’m finally an Olympic champion.

“I can’t wait to get on the podium. It’s nice to have the other medals, but for me it’s always been about winning.”

It is the perfect way to finish a fourth appearance at an Olympic regatta.

He made his debut, in a double scull with Matt Wells, in Athens in 2004.