LONDON, Aug 10: Maris Strombergs of Latvia successfully defended his Olympic men’s BMX title at the London Velopark here on Friday.

Australian Sam Willoughby finished second for the silver with Carlos Oquendo of Colombia taking the bronze.

Earlier, former world champion Mariana Pajon won the women’s BMX competition, giving Colombia their first gold at the London Olympics.

Pajon, the flag bearer for her country during the opening ceremony, led from the start on the challenging course. Sarah Walker of New Zealand claimed silver and Laura Smulders of the Netherlands took bronze.—Agencies