Ashton Eaton has ruled the decathlon since 2012, and he maintained his grip on the grueling 10-event competition, winning his second consecutive gold medal on Thursday at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Eaton tied the Olympic record to finish with 8,893 points en route to the gold medal victory over France's Kevin Mayer, who took the silver with 8,834. Canada's Damian Warner earned the bronze with 8,666 points.
Eaton's total was off his own world record of 9,045 he set at the 2015 world championships, but it was enough for gold in Rio.
Even without his best performance in the decathlon's final event, the 1,500 meters, Eaton wrapped up another gold to match the one he won in London four years ago.
Eaton finished with the third-best time in the 1,500, crossing in 4 minutes, 23.33 seconds. Mayer would have needed to beat Eaton by at least six seconds in the 1,500 to overtake the Bend native and former Oregon Ducks star who trains in Eugene with Oregon Track Club Elite. Instead, Mayer finished more than two seconds behind Eaton.
Eaton did not have his best javelin mark, either, managing 196 feet, 1 inch, good for 734 points. Mayer's best throw of 213-4 allowed him to gain ground on Eaton heading into the final event.
Thursday's third event, the pole vault, was a bit of an adventure for Eaton. He needed his third attempt to clear heights of 16 feet, 03/4 inches and 16-83/4 before finding his form to vault 17-03/4 and grab 972 points in the event.
Here's an event-by-event recap of Eaton's decathlon.
Thursday, Aug. 18
5:45 p.m.: 1,500 meters (PB: 4 minutes, 14.48 seconds)
Result: Eaton takes third overall in the 1,500, crossing in 4:23.33. He adds 789 points to his total and finishes with 8,893 points to tie the Olympic record and win the gold medal.
Event place: Third
Overall place: First
2:35 p.m.: Javelin (PB: 218 feet, 8 inches)
Result: Eaton's final throw was his best, reaching 196 feet, 1 inch for a total of 734 points. It wasn't near his personal best, and France's Kevin Mayer gained ground by throwing 213-4 to grab 814 points. But Eaton is strong in the 1,500 meters, and his lead of 44 points is likely to hold up for the gold.
Event place: 18th
Overall place: First
9:25 a.m.: Pole vault (PB: 17 feet, 81/2 inches)
Result: Ashton Eaton cleared 17 feet, 03/4 inches on his second attempt at the height. That mark is good for 972 points. Eaton struggled a bit early in the competition, needing his third attempt to clear two previous heights. He made three unsuccessful attempts at 17-81/2, which would have matched his personal best. But he will remain the leader after this eighth event, with 7,370 points.
Event place: Fourth
Overall place: First
6:25 a.m.: Discus (PB: 155 feet, 4 inches)
Result: Eaton had three solid throws, with all of them surpassing his season's best. The second throw wound up his best mark, at 149 feet, 3 inches. That gave Eaton 777 points, and he now leads the decathlon after seven events, with 6,398 points. Canada's Damian Warner is second with 6,283. Also, Eaton is 53 points behind his own world record pace from the 2015 world championships.
Event place: Eighth
Overall place: First
5:30 a.m.: 110-meter hurdles (PB: 13.35 seconds)
Result: Eaton finished second in his heat, and second among all the decathletes, with a time of 13.80 seconds. That earned him 1,000 points and kept him just more than 100 points ahead of Canada's Damian Warner, who had the top time of 13.58 seconds. After six events, Eaton has 5,621 points, compared with Warner's 5,518.
Event place: Second
Overall place: First
Wednesday, Aug. 17
5:20 p.m.: 400 meters (PB: 45.00 seconds)
Result: Eaton won his heat in 46.07 seconds, easily the best time of the day, and bagged 1,005 points in the event to extend his overall lead. After Day 1, Eaton leads with 4,621 points. Germany's Kai Kazmirek has moved into second place at 4,500, with Canada's Damian Warner just behind at 4,489.
Event place: First
Overall place: First
1:45 p.m.: High jump (PB: 6 feet, 11 inches)
Result: Eaton cleared a season-best 6 feet, 7 inches, to earn 813 points. That gives him a four-event total of 3,616. Although Canada's Damian Warner cleared 6-81/4 to gain on Eaton a bit, the defending champion still leads after four events. Warner is 68 points back, at 3,548. American Jeremy Taiwo jumped 7-21/4, the best jump of the day, and has moved into a tie with Warner at 3,548.
Event place: 18th
Overall place: First
8:15 a.m.: Shot put (PB: 50 feet, 61/4 inches)
Result: Eaton's best throw of 48-4 earned him 773 points, and he leads the overall competition with 2,803 points. Warner is second with 2,708. France's Kevin Mayer sits third with 2,699.
Event place: 10th
Overall place: First
6:35 a.m.: Long jump (PB: 27 feet)
Result: Eaton posted the best mark -- 26 feet, 03/4 inches -- grabbing 1,045 points. After two events, Eaton leads overall with 2,030. Canada's Warner is second with 2,000.
Event place: First
Overall place: First
5:30 a.m.: 100 meters (PB: 10.21 seconds)
Result: Eaton took second in his heat in 10.46 seconds (985 points). Canada's Damian Warner won the heat in 10.30 and leads overall with 1,023 points.
Event place: Second
Overall place: Second