Great Britain’s Georgina Harland produced a sensational final run to snatch a bronze medal in the modern pentathlon.
Harland, the world number one, started the last event in 14th place, 49 seconds behind third place.
But, just as Stephanie Cook did in winning gold in Sydney four years ago, she hauled back the deficit to win her first Olympic medal.
The modern pentathlon combines the skills of shooting, fencing, swimming, equestrian and running.
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Harland had endured a difficult day at the Goudi Olympic Complex after a horror start with the shooting and fencing.
She finished the shooting 30th out of 32 competitors and managed only a 16-15 winning record in the fencing.
But she swam the second-fastest time of two minutes 14.60 seconds in the 200 metre freestyle and then conceded just two time penalties in the show-jumping to boost her position to 14th.
The medals, for an accomplished runner, were always just about within touch, but it was going to require a brave performance and the 26-year-old pulled out all stops, ending with a final tally of 5,344 taking her to third.
Despite the morning wobbles, Harland said she never doubted her ability to win a medal.
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“The beginning was really shaky this morning but I always know I have got that run at the end, and the swim and the ride,” she said.
“I am just really, really shocked. On the last lap I knew it was going to be mine.”
Hungary’s Zsuzsanna Voros had begun the final event 41 seconds clear and held on to her advantage to clinch gold.
She ran most of the final lap of the three kilometre cross country course carrying her national flag.
Latvia’s Jelena Rublevska finished second with Harland storming out of nowhere for third.
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Britain’s Kate Allenby, who had looked in contention for a medal after a magnificent swim leg, came in eighth overall, with 5236 points.