Australia's Ken Wallace competes in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games men's Kayak K1 1000m flatwater semi-final event at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 20, 2008.[Agencies]

Ken Wallace of Australia won the gold medal in the 500-meter kayak single Saturday, storming ahead over the last 100 meters to win the race.

The first-time Olympian won in 1 minute, 37.252 seconds. He was a few ticks off the lead at the 250-meter mark, then paddled his way ahead in the No. 8 lane late in the race.

Adam van Koeverden of Canada won the silver medal in 1:37.630.

Tim Brabants has a bronze medal to go along with the gold he won in the 1,000-meter K-1 race a day earlier. He finished the 500-meter sprint in 1:37.671.