Fifth-place finish in London decathlon has Canada’s Damian Warner looking at podium finish for 2016 Olympic Games

He didn't win a medal in London but Damian Warner may have dusted off a spot on the podium at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Warner finished fifth in the decathlon Thursday at the London Olympics, delivering a phenomenal performance in the gruelling two-day, 10-discipline event.

[Slideshow: Damian Warner in the decathlon]

"A star was born,'' Les Gramantik, a senior coach with Athletics Canada, told The Globe and Mail.

The 22-year-old from London, Ont., who only took up decathlon two years ago, set six personal bests. His total of 8,442 points is second best of any Canadian at an Olympics.

"It was a big goal just to make it to the Olympics,'' said Warner, who was cheered on by his father in the stands. "To come here and put together my best score ever, I can't ask for anything more.''

[Related: Who's should be Canada's flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony?]

Warner was in contention for a bronze up until the final two events. His dreams of a podium finish were dashed when Cuba's Leonel Suarez threw a decathlon Olympic record 77 metres in javelin. That meant Warner needed to beat Suarez by around 12 seconds in the final event, the 1,500 metres.

American Ashton Eaton, who set the world decathlon record at the U.S. trails, won gold with 8,869 points. After his victory he hugged his fiancee, Canadian hepthalon athlete Brianne Thiesen of Humboldt, Sask.

Fellow American Trey Hardee, a two-time world champion, took the silver medal with 8,671 points while Suarez was third with 8,523.

[More: The unlikely man who saved Canada's women's soccer team]

Warner finished just five points back of fourth place.

Considering Warner is competing in just his first Olympics his accomplishment is considerable. He was ranked 24th in the world coming into London. His first international decathlon was last August at the world championships where he placed 18th.

He already has made himself a contender for the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

More London Olympics coverage on Yahoo! Canada Sports:
• Pics: Canada's Day 13 at the Olympics
• Video: Who is the greatest Olympian of all time?
• Old nemesis prevents Tonya Verbeek from taking gold