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Jason Burnett decided to go big or go home and it paid off.

The Toronto native won a silver medal in men’s trampoline at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday after nailing a routine that had the highest degree of difficulty in the competition. Burnett, 21, finished second with 40.7 points.

“That rocked,” he said. “That was awesome.”

The three-time Canadian champion was performing at his first Olympics.

Lu Chunlong of China won the gold medal with 41 points, while countryman Dong Dong won bronze with 40.6.

Burnett was second up on the trampoline and nailed his routine, which had a degree of difficulty of 16.8.

That meant he had to wait to see if anyone could measure up to his performance, similar to a golfer sitting in the clubhouse with the lead. Lu was the final competitor to go and he edged the Canadian.

Burnett says his favourite part of competing is that pressure-filled few minutes where he has to play the waiting game.

“It’s just that anxiety, that stress,” said Burnett. “I just love that part. Just watching the scores pop up and see if they’re higher or lower. That’s one of my favourite things.”

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