Murray Stewart’s motivation comes back to being dumped from K4 team

A SIEGE mentality, a point to prove, call it what you will, but just try and stop Australia’s Murray Stewart bagging his second Olympic gold medal.

A SIEGE mentality, a point to prove and driven by disappointment.

Call it what you will, but just try and stop Australia’s Murray Stewart bagging his second Olympic gold medal.

The Manly kayaker is the gold medal favourite after dominating the semi finals of the men’s K1 1000m at Lagoa Stadium in Rio — qualifying fastest and also beating world champion from Denmark, Rene Holten.

And in a further boost to his Olympic Dream, Stewart’s semi-final victory by a boat length helped eliminate eight-time Olympic medallist and three-times world champion from Canada, Adam van Koeverden.

Stewart, a London gold medallist in the K4 1000, will chase his second Olympic title at 11.12pm on Tuesday night (AEST).

Paddling like a man possessed in the heats and semi-final, Stewart revealed his desire to succeed is being driven by the shock of being replaced from the K4 crew in the lead-up to the games in Rio.

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It was due to a bout of glandular fever earlier this year that Stewart was omitted.

“It’s been a bitter pill to swallow,’’ Stewart said after his semi-final victory.

“I was part of the winning K4 (London) crew and K2 crew of the national titles.

“I was really keen to race in the K1 and one of those races, but unfortunately when I got sick with the glandular fever, I had a pretty terrible time.

“It was right through the World Cup period. The other boys went onto get some really good results there, but unfortunately that meant for me that I was out of the team.

“Luckily, I had the K1 spot locked away already.

“It’s been very tough, I’m very excited for the (K4) boys, I think they’re going to have a great shot, but at the same time it is going to be hard to watch those races.’’

Asked if he had adopted a siege mentality, Stewart, 30, said: “I’ve definitely got a point to prove.

Murray Stewart of Australia dominated his Canoe Sprint Men's Kayak Single 1000m Semifinal.

“It’s been a small crew for us, training with my coach and a couple of others in Narrabeen in Sydney.

“We went to Italy and for most of the time it was just three of us, the strength and conditioning coach training.

“So I guess it’s been a different journey to normal, but it’s definitely motivated me to get faster.’’

Having secured his Rio Olympic final berth, Stewart said the challenge for him was to step-up and leave nothing behind.

“I’m not going to say I was doing it easy in the end, but I did know that I was in front so hopefully I’ve got another gear to go,’’ Stewart said.

Meanwhile, veteran paddler Martin Maranov failed to progress to the final of the C1 1000m in his fifth Olympics.