Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs favored win Olympic gold
Madrid, Jul 23 (EFE).- Swiss rider Martin Fuchs is the favorite at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to win the gold medal in the individual equestrian jumping event and succeed the legendary British rider Nick Skelton, champion in Rio 2016.
Fuchs with his horse Clooney was pegged as the favorite in the individual event after being proclaimed European Champion in 2019.
The veteran Skelton, 63, who broke his neck in a fall in 2005, came back to be proclaimed Olympic champion at 58 after beating Swede Peder Fredricson at the last Games.
In London 2012, he also won gold in the team show jumping event and brought the gold medal back to his country after 60 years.
The Swedes Henrik von Eckermann and Malin Baryard-Johnson will join Fredricson and complete the Swedish showing in Tokyo, the International Equestrian Federation told Efe.
Additionally, Scott Brash and Ben Maher, who were part of the English team that won gold in London 2012 alongside Skelton, will be in the individual event with medal possibilities.
France, which has chalked up two gold medals in jumps in its history, will defend the Olympic crown in Tokyo 2020 after beating the United States in Rio 2016.
Penelope Leprevost is the only member of the team that was champion in Brazil who will represent the French in Tokyo 2020. Mathieu Billot and Nicolas Delmotte are are to join the Olympic champion.
A total of 75 athletes will be chasing individual medals, while athletes from 19 countries will represent their nations in the team competition when the action begins at Baji Koen Equestrian Park on August 3. EFE
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