Noel Hendrick was left disappointed in Thursday's kayak single semi-final at the Olympics, with the Irishman narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
The 26-year-old from Kildare made a strong start to his run before disaster struck as he approached the seventh gate.
As he attempted to stop the kayak to take one of the turning gates, Hendrick's boat capsized and he was briefly thrown into the water.
He recovered the situation impressively but the mistake effectively put paid to his hopes of taking one of the top 12 spots and progressing to the final.
Ultimately, two separate two-second penalties combined with the massive mistake at seven saw his final time come to 102.49, six seconds outside the qualifying spots in 15th.
Speaking to RTÉ shortly after his run, Hendrick did not shirk responsibility and admitted he was "not proud" of his run.
READ HERE: After A Complicated Journey, Philip Doyle Finds Olympic Redemption With Daire Lynch
Irishman Noel Hendrick shattered after disappointing semi-final mistake
'It was a rough run, I'm not very happy with it' - Noel Hendrick reflects after his elimination at the semi-final stage in the Men's Canoe Slalom, after capsizing early on#RTESport #Paris2024
📺 Watch https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📱Updates https://t.co/FdweZoIeSi pic.twitter.com/qSQ1eqyoGB— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 1, 2024
Noel Hendrick finished 15th out of 22 competitors at Vaires-sur-Marne on the outskirts of Paris on Thursday.
Speaking immediately after his elimination, Hendrick was brutally honest about his performance.
The Irishman said that, though he was happy with the second-half of his run, he had found it extremely hard to get his mental focus back after hitting the water early on.
It was a rough run. I'm not very happy with it, I'm not very proud of it.
I went out very attacking and started well. I did a good first stop and the following sequence afterwards as well. Right in the top pool, I went to jump against the stopper on the edge and just rolled. I followed it in.
After that point, it was very hard to follow it back. When you make a big mistake like that...it just felt like my arms were empty after that. I was really struggling to get it back on track.
I delivered the rest of the run but I knew towards the end that I'd done enough damage.
When you jump at it, you kind of jump and put the hull of the boat against the stopper. You have to lean only using your hips.
I have to see the video again but I reckon I put a bit of weight on the paddle as opposed to just leaning very balanced. I just capsized and followed the paddle in.
When you make a mistake like that, the adrenaline...you just feel shattered afterwards. It was very difficult to finish out the run.
Admirably honest stuff from Ireland's Noel Hendrick.
Hendrick's Olympics are not quite over yet, as he will compete in the newly introduced kayak cross event. The time trial for the kayak cross gets underway on Friday.
Italy's Giovanni de Gennaro would go on to claim gold in the kayak single final on Thursday evening.
SEE ALSO: Irish Medal Hopes Delayed After Farcical Scenes In Olympic Sailing Final
