Wednesday wasfilled with glory for Team USA at the track, and Thursday marked the first gold medal in track and field at theTokyo Olympics for US men. Ryan Crouser set an Olympic record inwinning the men’s shot put, with teammate Joe Kovacs taking silver.
Ryan Crouser gets men first track and field gold with shot put win
On his very first attempt, US shot put world-record holder Ryan Crouser walked to the shot put circle as cool and casual as one can be in an Olympic final. The reigning Olympic champion stepped into the ring sporting a USA track and field hat and shades. He did the popular shot put spin technique and boom Olympic record. Crouser tossed 74 feet, 11 inches to break his 2016 Olympic record of 73 feet, 10¾ inches. With the win, Crouser is the US male to win a track and field gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Additionally, Crouser is the first American to win back-to-back Olympic golds in the shot put since Parry O’Brien did it at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics.
US men’s basketball down at halftime to Australia
The US men’s basketball team closed a 15-point deficit to just three points, 45-42, in the latter stages of the second quarter in its semifinal against Australia and will head into halftime with a good chance to advance to the gold medal round. Team USA is shooting 64% from inside the arc but just 2-of-13 from long range. Kevin Durant has 15 points for the US, while Dante Exum leads Australia with 10.
Gable Steveson cruises toward men’s heavyweight semifinals
No backflips yet, but Gable Steveson might break one out on the Olympic stage soon. Steveson dominated both of his preliminary matches at Makuhari Messe Hall on Thursday to advance to the men’s heavyweight semifinals (125kg) this evening. He scored a technical victory in the first match (10-0) before winning 8-0 over Taha Akgul, the defending Olympic champion, of Turkey.
Cory Juneau holds on to win bronze in park skateboarding final
Qualifying in the spot to the Tokyo Olympics men’s park final put Cory Juneau in a tough spot. Skateboarding first meant all he could do was put down his best run and then wait. He did that Thursday, scoring 84.13 on his second run with massive air and difficult tricks. Luis Francisco seemed like he might pass Juneau on the last run of the contest, but the Brazilian scored just less than a point back and Juneau held on for bronze.
US advances to bronze medal match in karate kata debut
American Sakura Kokumai advanced to one of two Olympic bronze medal matches in karate kata Thursday. Karate is making its Olympic debut in Tokyo. Kata is a form demonstration event comparable to gymnastics floor exercise. Kokumai, 28, was third in her five-woman pool, advancing to a ranking round, where she again placed third at Nippon Budokan.
US breaks canoe gold medal drought
Nevin Harrison secured a rare medal in canoe for the United States as she took gold in the women’s 200-meter single canoe race. The 19-year-old from Seattle finished ahead of Canada’s Laurence Vincent-Lapointe (46.786) and Ukraine’s Liudmyla Luzan (47.034) in the final with a time of 45.932 seconds. Harrison’s medal is just Team USA’s fifth overall in the sport.
Holloway upset in 110m hurdles, takes silver
The US men’s team isn’t having much luck obtaining gold medals on the track. Heavy 110-meter hurdle favoriteGrant Holloway narrowly lostto Jamaica’s Hansle Parchment in the event final. Parchment ran a season-best 13.04 to win the Olympic gold medal. Holloway finished second at a 13.09.
