Nathan Cohen. Photo: Ann Woolliams.

Nathan Cohen and his teammate Joseph Sullivan have won New Zealand’s first gold medal at the London Olympics. Cohen and Sullivan won the double sculls event finishing ahead of Italy and Slovenia.

The New Zealand crew clocked in at 6:31.67, while Italy (Alessio Sartori and Romano Battisti) came second with 6:32.80 and Slovenia (Luka Spik and Iztok Cop) were third with 6:34.35. Cohen and Sullivan lagged in fourth position at the 1500 meter mark but powered home in the last 500 meters to win the race.

Cohen, who is Jewish, has previously won gold in the men’s double sculls event in both the 2010 and 2011 World Rowing Championships. He is also the first person from the Southland region of New Zealand to win a medal at the Olympics.