London, Aug 9 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Last year's World Championships silver medallists Australia narrowly claimed gold Thursday in a close-run Olympic men's kayak four final.

The Australians held a quarter-length advantage for most of the race to cross the 1,000-metre line in two minutes, 55.08 seconds.

Tate Smith, Dave Smith, Murray Stewart and Jacob Clear regained a gold medal Australia last won 20 years ago in Barcelona.

The silver went to Sydney 2000 champions Hungary, who couldn't make inroads on the Australians despite a late spurt to clock 2:55.69.

The Czech Republic snatched bronze from Beijing silver medallists Slovakia on the line in 2:55.85.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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