#Sensational Sunday becomes #bleary-eyed Monday as athletes and fans struggle to stay awake after night of celebrating SIX gold medals on Britain’s best Olympic day since 1908
- Britain is now second in the Rio medal table with a whopping 15 golds, 16 silvers and seven bronzes
- Team GB won six gold medals and three silvers yesterday in one of the country's best sporting nights
- 'Magic' Max Whitlock, 23, claimed double-glory within an hour and made history for British gymnastics
- Justin Rose beat Sweden's Henrik Stenson to win the first golf event at the Olympic Games in 112 years
- Jason Kenny also triumphed over Callum Skinner in the 'Battle of the Brits' cycling event at velodrome
- And Giles Scott sailed to victory in the men's finn event, ensuring he cannot be caught by fellow rivals
It was one of British sport’s most glittering nights ever as Team GB enjoyed a gold rush on Sensational Sunday.
But there was one small downside as fans who stayed awake into the early hours to see it felt a little tired today.
Supporters said they were heading into work bleary-eyed - but most were happy they stayed up to see Britain's Olympic heroes win six gold medals and three silvers to leapfrog China into second place in the medal table.
The medal haul, which now includes 15 golds, 16 silvers and seven bronzes, is our greatest in a day since 1908.
Fans last night said they were 'so sleepy, but can't go to bed yet', 'being sleepy at work tomorrow will be worth it tomorrow' and it was ‘not good trying to stay awake to watch the Olympics when you've got work at 6.30’.
By this morning others were complaining that it was 'another Monday morning at work bleary eyed thanks to the bloody Olympics' and it was 'back to work after only a few hours’ sleep'.
One fan said 'Super Sunday at the Olympics means bleary eyed Monday', while someone who missed all the fun was Gary Lineker, who said: 'Fell asleep early last night. Didn't miss much at the Olympics. What a numpty!'
The heroics that saw Team GB triumph for the first time ever in gymnastics, as well as win golds in cycling and golf, took the country's medal tally to 38. One more gold - Giles Scott in sailing - will be confirmed tomorrow.
Sir Chris Hoy (centre) tweeted this photograph overnight with the caption: '22 Olympic medals between this lot!'. Among those pictured are Sir Bradley Wiggins (second top left), Clare Balding (behind Sir Chris), Chris Boardman (right of Sir Chris) and Jill Douglas (bottom right)
'Magic' Max Whitlock, 23, instantly became a national hero when he made history for Britain after winning the country's first ever Olympic gold medal in gymnastics - and did it again an hour later by beating Louis Smith on the pommel horse
A delighted Justin Rose, pictured, poses with his Olympic gold medal after victory on a dramatic final day of golf
Giles Scott, from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, cruised into a healthy lead in the sixth race of the men's finn event
Jason Kenny triumphed over Callum Skinner in the Battle of the Brits cycling event at the Olympic Velodrome
Last night's stunning achievements were dominated by 'Magic' Max Whitlock, 23, who instantly became a national hero when he made history by becoming the country's first ever Olympic gold gymnast.
He triumphed in the men's floor event before wowing on the pommel horse just an hour later - beating compatriot Louis Smith into second.
In incredible scenes in Rio, Whitlock - whose fiancee Leah Hickton was watching at home in Essex - was overcome by the sheer scale of what he had achieved.
He was joined on an incredible night of success by Justin Rose, who became an Olympic champion in golf for the first time in 112 years.
The 36-year-old beat Sweden's Henrik Stenson in the nail-biting golf final, which was marred with farcical scenes when a female spectator picked up the British golfer's ball at the second hole.
Five time gold medallist Jason Kenny also added to his haul by beating Callum Skinner in the 'Battle of the Brits' cycling event in the velodrome.
And Andy Murray made it six golds in an epic four-hour final to cap the biggest haul for Team GB in 108 years.
Meanwhile, Scott sailed to victory in the men's finn event, ensuring he has an unassailable lead - but he won't receive his medal until later in the week.
This morning sports fans were complaining that it was 'another Monday morning at work bleary eyed thanks to the bloody Olympics' and it was 'back to work after only a few hours’ sleep'
Fans watching on TV last night said they were 'so sleepy, but can't go to bed yet', while someone who missed all the fun was Gary Lineker, who said: 'Fell asleep early last night. Didn't miss much at the Olympics. What a numpty!'
Yesterday's incredible medal haul now means that 'Super Sunday' has been Team GB’s most successful single day at an Olympics since 'Super Saturday' of London 2012, when they collected six golds.
Super Saturday four years ago was the country's most successful single day for Olympic gold medals since 1908 in London when ten golds were achieved.
In 17 previous Olympics Britain has failed to achieve more than five golds in the whole competition.
For 12 years - from Moscow in 1980 to Los Angeles in 1984 to Seoul in 1988 and to Barcelona in 1992 - Team GB only one five golds in each competition.
In Atlanta 1996, the team won only one gold, by rowers Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent in the men’s coxless pairs.
Britain's Max Whitlock celebrates with his national flag after winning the gold medal for the floor exercise during the artistic gymnastics men's apparatus final
Max Whitlock claimed the top spot in the men's individual floor exercise final at the Rio Olympics
Max Whitlock of the British Gymnastics Team poses for a portrait during a training session before the Olympics
He is Britain's first male world gymnastics champion and helped lead the London 2012 Olympics team to bronze. Pictured, Max with fiancée Leah
In yesterday's triumph, the new king of British gymnastics, Whitlock, put in a near flawless performance in the men's floor event.
He said afterwards: 'I really can't put it into words. I'm trying to describe but I just can't. The expectations going in here you'd have never have said that - I've completely outdone myself. It's just incredible.
'It was exactly the same for me - it was a surprise. I never go into competitions expecting to get a medal or even try to think about it.'
An hour later, it was Rose's turn for gold. The 36-year-old won a thrilling battle with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson that went to the 18th and final green of the Olympic course, with both men 15 under par in front of a packed gallery.
As the ball dropped in the hole to huge cheers, the crowd rose to their feet, roaring their approval while Rose punched the air in delight and then hugged his caddy.
There was a kiss too for his wife Kate, who had walked round every hole with Rose during all four rounds of a tournament many of the world’s top players had shunned. It was Kate who had been part of the inspiration for Rose to take part in Rio, where golf returned to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.
The Brit remained ice cool for much of the day but burst into delirious joy after making the simple putt for victory
The Team GB star waved to the adoring crowd after securing the first Olympic golf gold medal for 112 years
Rose admitted 'muddling his way through the national anthem but said he 'thinks he got most of the words right'
Rose finished two shots ahead of silver medallist Henrik Stenson, left, and bronze medallist Matt Kuchar of the US, right
Rose is married to former international gymnast Kate Phillips, pictured right in St Lucia on holiday earlier this year
‘That felt better than anything I’ve ever won. It was the best tournament I’ve ever done,’ said Rose afterwards.
‘Hopefully we’ve shown Brazil what golf is about. I’m glad it was close. Not for my nerves. For golf. The whole week has been incredible. Representing Team GB and feeling like you’re bigger than just your individual sport is just incredible.’
Earlier, golf fans had been left shocked when a spectator appeared to pick up Rose’s ball after he had driven it into the crowd. The woman lifted it and then realising her mistake, dropped it again.
Gold medalist Jason Kenny of Great Britain poses for photographs after the medal ceremony for the cycling
Kenny won the best-of-three final with something to spare, winning the first two legs without the need for a decider
In the velodrome, five-time gold medallist Kenny earned another gold - with the top prize assured for Britain before the race even began.
The 28-year-old faced Callum Skinner in an all-British final in the men's individual sprint in the Rio velodrome.
The pair have been room-mates in the Olympic village but put aside their friendship as they battled it out for pride and glory.
But Kenny was too strong for his compatriot, winning the best-of-three final with relative ease after triumphing in the first two legs.
He is one half of one of the most successful couples in Olympic history, with his girlfriend Laura Trott earning her third gold medal in the Rio team pursuit.
The victory also made her Britain's most successful female Olympian ever after the world record-breaking victory over the US.
The couple now have eight Olympic cycling gold medals between them stretching back to the Beijing games in 2008.
He is one half of one of the most successful couples in Olympic history, with his girlfriend Laura Trott earning her third gold medal in the Rio team pursuit
The couple now have eight Olympic cycling gold medals between them stretching back to the Beijing games in 2008
Kenny's victory continues British domination in the velodrome, with Team GB, including Sir Bradley Wiggins, winning four out of six track cycling events.
Elsewhere last night, Scott secured victory in the sixth race of the men's finn sail to claim his first ever Olympic gold medal.
Usually in Sir Ben Ainslie's shadow, the 29-year-old, from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, cruised into a healthy lead - becoming so far ahead that he cannot now be caught.
However, despite his success, he will not be able to claim his gold medal until he finishes the last event tomorrow.
The result is subject to protest, and Scott will still have to sail in Tuesday's medal race, but an eighth and second yesterday has made it impossible for him to be caught, even in the double-point finale.
Scott said: 'It is an amazingly special moment. We've had such amazing history in the Finn since 2000 with Iain Percy winning and then Ben Ainslie so to put my name alongside theirs is a very special feeling.
'I'm not sure my life will change forever, I hope it won't, but the Olympic Games has been such a huge part of my life since I was a teenager. It has been 10 years of solid work to get to this and I'm proud to have put it together.
'Going through and delivering is not as simple as people think, it is hard work and stressful but if you do manage it, it is incredible.'
Giles Scott sailed to victory to claim his first ever Olympic gold medal. The 29-year-old, from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, cruised into a healthy lead yesterday in the sixth race of the men's finn event
It has now been confirmed that he is so far ahead, that he cannot be caught. However, he will not be able to claim his gold medal until he finishes the last event on Tuesday
Britain claimed a sixth gold last night in the men's singles tennis, as Andy Murray beat Juan Martin del Potro in a gruelling final.
Murray won in four sets but had to fight for every point as his rival took him to the limit of his ability.
The victory also means Murray is the first person ever to win two Olympic gold medals in the singles competition and the first person to defend the title.
Team GB's Rio medal haul, on course to be the most successful ever at an overseas Games, began in the rowing, with victory for Alex Gregory, Tom James, Pete Reed and Andrew Triggs-Hodge in the men’s coxless four and a win for Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking in the women’s lightweight double sculls.
On Saturday night, Mo Farah won his third Olympic gold medal in thrilling fashion when he clinched the men’s 10,000m.
British Olympic chiefs are increasingly confident they will achieve their target of at least 48 medals, which would be a record for an away Games.
Simon Timson, performance director of the British Olympic Association, said: ‘It would be an absolutely historic achievement.’
Britain's Andy Murray celebrates a point against Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro during the men's singles gold medal tennis match at the Olympic Games in Rio
Britain claimed a sixth gold in the men's singles tennis, as Andy Murray beat Juan Martin del Potro in a gruelling final
Mark England, Team GB’s manager, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning: ‘Absolutely fabulous, I’ve been in this game a few years now and I have to say it was extraordinary for everyone involved, including all the support staff, coaches, team leaders and performance directors.
‘What a privilege it was to see British athletes competing, performing and winning on the world stage like they did today. It was sensational.’
Asked about the highlight of the day, he said: ‘I think it was important that everything that’s been said about golf and some of the players not necessarily embracing it wholeheartedly that Justin Rose has been a real ambassador for the sport.
‘And also, more importantly, an ambassador for the Olympics. For him to come through today was sensational.’
‘To see Max Whitlock winning two gold medals – something that’s never ever been achieved before – and then at the end Andy Murray, for him to come through and be the first tennis player to retain his Olympic title and to do it in such a fabulous way. He has been a real standard bearer for the team since he was selected to carry the flag.’
And on the empty seats at Rio, Mr England said: ‘What the country is missing is it hasn’t got a strong home team. In London, the swell of euphoria as Great Britain got off to a reasonably good start and continued that through - that drove ticket sales, it drove a nation that was really behind the British team.
‘The Brazilians have had high aspirations and it’s been a very slow start for them and so there hasn’t been this drive and this wave of euphoria to fill stadiums and to cheer on.’
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