Canberra schoolgirl Keely Small has led a five-medal Australian charge on day eight of the Youth Olympics in Argentina.
The 17-year-old flagbearer vindicated her pre-race favouritism to claim Australia's fourth gold of the Games with a commanding victory in a two-race 800m final at Buenos Aires' Youth Olympic Park.
She credited a small Australian contingent in the venue for pushing her on as she roared home to finish in a combined time of 2:04.76 ahead of American Mu Athing and Ethiopian Hirut Meshesha.
"It hasn't sunk in quite yet," Small said.
"I was a little nervous coming off the heat run and coming in top-ranked, but the crowd really got me going down the back straight."
"I could hear all the Aussies cheering their guts out, it was awesome."
After recording an 800m personal best with a sixth-place finish in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals earlier this year, Small has already recalibrated her sights on achieving bigger and better things.
"It's been a big year with Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics, but the big goal now is Tokyo 2020," she said.
"I'll get back into training when I'm home and have a good season to keep working towards Tokyo."
Australia's medal haul on Sunday was boosted through silvers for hurdler Sophie White, high jumper Oscar Miers, trampoline athlete Jessica Pickering and international doubles tennis competitor Rinky Hijikata.
