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Rio 2016: Day 16 preview – ‘Steam train’ Joyce wants fast finish for Team GB

Team GB are already guaranteed at least one medal on the final day of competition at Rio 2016 when Joe Joyce goes in the super-heavyweight boxing final.

Four years ago Anthony Joshua claimed gold in the same category at London 2012, and with the 26-year-old watching on in Rio, Joyce is just one win away from repeating that feat.

Joyce beat second seed Ivan Dychko from Kazakhstan by unanimous decision to guarantee himself at least a silver.

But the 30-year-old will be hoping for so much more as he takes on top seed Tony Yoka from France in the gold-medal match.

Yoka is no slouch, having won bronze and gold at last year’s European Games and World Championships respectively.

But Joyce won European Games gold and world bronze himself and will be keen to add the Olympic title to his already impressive CV.

The men’s mountain bike race has British interest on Sunday as well with Grant Ferguson making his Olympics debut .  

It has been another Games to remember for Team GB’s cyclists, particularly in the velodrome where 11 medals were won, including six golds.

And as Ferguson bids to win a two-wheeled gold out in the open air, he arrives in confidence following a stellar 2015.

Last year saw Ferguson win silver at the Under-23 European Mountain Bike Cross Country Championships before taking his first ever win at the World Cup in Italy, and he will be hoping for more of the same in Rio.

And on the road the marathon takes place with brothers Callum and Derek Hawkins hoping to emulate Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee’s historic achievement as siblings.

The Brownlee brothers won gold and silver in the men’s triathlon, and now it is the turn of the Hawkins.

Callum, 23, finished an impressive eighth at this year’s London Marathon, while his older brother Derek was the third Brit home with Tsegai Tewedle splitting the duo in 12th.

Running just over 26 miles in what is likely to be sweltering Rio weather is far from easy, but Tewelde has faced adversity before.

His Olympic bow will mark a sensational journey for Tewelde, 18 years previously was filled with shrapnel following a bomb explosion that killed his friend.

Tewedle fled war-torn Eritrea and sought asylum in Glasgow after the 2008 World Cross Country Championships.

And baring the scars of his previous life Tewelde will make his Olympic Games debut on the final day of Rio 2016.

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games will then conclude with a glittering closing ceremony at the Maracana in the evening.

Image courtesy of TransWorldSport, via YouTube, with thanks.

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