Day 13 - August 2, 2021
Entry 3 of catch-up (almost there) ...
In soccer, Canada defeated a lackluster US women's team 1-0, scoring their only goal on a penalty kick, which also happened to be their only shot on goal. All-World goalie Alyssa Naeher was forced out of the game in the first half with a knee injury, and she is likely out for the bronze medal game against Australia, itself a 1-0 loser to Sweden. Look for the USA to play a lot of youngsters, as the likes of Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Crystal Dunn and others are likely at, or near, the end of their national team careers.
In a very exciting game, Japan defeated the United States 7-6, with a walk-off single in the tenth, after starting the inning with two runners on base (by rule), after a sacrifice bunt, Kai Takuya singled off Edwin Jackson, Jr, scoring Yanagita Yuki with the winning run. The USA is still in medal, and even gold, contention, but Japan's path is now easier after winning as they advance to the gold medal game. USA is still in the medal play-in tournament, needing to defeat Korea in its next game to keep advancing.
Badminton was exciting as two gold medal matches took places. In the men's singles, Denmark's Vikto Axelsen defeated Chinee favorite Chen Long 2-0. Indonesia's Anthony Sinisuka Ginting defeated Guatemala's Keving Cordon 2-0 for the bronze medal. In the women's doubles match, Indonesia's team of Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu defeated China's Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan 2-0 to wing old, with Korea's Kim Soyeong and Kong Heeyong defeated countrywomen Lee Sohee and Shin Seungchan 209 for the bronze medal. Indonesia has won 8 gold medals all time in the Olympics and all 8 have been in badminton.
At the track, Moracco's Soufiane El Bakkali won a very tactical men's 3,000 meter steeplechase, edging Ethiopia's Lamecha Girma - who won silver - and Kenyan Benjamin Kigen - who earned bronze. In another tactical race, Hellen Obiri led three Kenyans in the top 12 and Gudaf Tsegay led three Ethiopians in the top 6 of the women's 5000 meter, only to finish second and third respectively. The Netherlands' Sifan Hassan won gold in 14:36.79.
In the women's 100 meter hurdles, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, and sister of Chicago Bears linebacker Robert Quinn (which I only mention because I am a Bears' fan), could not equal her Olumpic record set just one day prior, but she was able to hold on for gold, with Kendra Harrison of the USA finishing second, and Jamaica's Megan Tapper winning bronze.
Out in the field evnets, the USA's Valarie Allman won gold in the discus by 2.12 meters over silver medalists Kristine Pudenz of Germany. Yaime Perez of Cuba took bronze. A good haul for Cuba in the field as Juan Miguel Echevarria won silver and Maykel Masso won bronze in the men's long jump. Echevarria, in the lead after his third jump, also hurt himself on this jump, so he passed on his fourth and fifth attempts. Then, on his last attempt, Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece took the lead, requiring Echevarria to make one last attempt for gold, but alas, his body would not let him even complete his run down the runway. Incidentally, none of the jumpers were close to the Olympic record of 8.90 meters (29.199 feet) set by Bob Beamon in 1968!!!! Mike Powell set the World Record in 1991 - 30 years ago - of 8.95 meters (29.363 feet).
On the wrestling mat, Adeline Maria Gray of the United Sates won the 76kg freestyle gold medal 7-3 over Aline Rotter Focken of Germany, earning gold.
Mijain Lopez Nunez won the gold medal in the Men's Greco-Roman 130kg division, defeating Iakobi of Georgia 5-0. This was Lopez's 4th consecutive gold medal in the event, joining a very short list that includes Paul Elvstrom of Denmark (Sailing Firefly/Flynn 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960), Al Oerter of the United States (Discus 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968), Carl Lewis of the United States (long jump 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996), Kaori Icho of Japan (Wrestling 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016), and Michael Phelps of the United States (200 meter individual medley 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
Lopez's teammate Luis Alberto Orta Sanchez of Cuba won gold in the 60kg Greco-Roman Wrestly final defeating Kenichio Fumita of Japan 5-1, culminating a very good day for Cuba.
Athlete of the Day - Mijian Lopez Nunez, Wrestling, Cuba
Seriously, did you see that list of names that he joined? Elvstron, Oerter, Lewis, Icho, and Phelps. That's it!!!
Olympic Term of the Day: Over/under - In wrestling, where one wrestler has one arm wrapped over and the other under an oppoentn's arm. Sometimes referred to as the "dance position".
Olympic Events Watched: Athletics (Track & Field), Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleball, Equestrian, Soccer, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling
USA Potential Closing Ceremony Flag-Bearer (Alphabetically): Caleb Dressel, Phillip Dutton, Brady Ellison, Robert Finke, Adeline Gray, Lee Kiefer, Katie Ledecky, Sunisa Lee, Kelsey Plum, Anastasija, Zolotic
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