Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Olympics Day 6: Chinese Tennis Players Make History , As Biles gifts U.S. 2nd gymnastics gold

POSTED ON August 2, 2024 •   Sports      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara •   VIEWS 118
Zheng Qinwen of China competes during the women's singles semifinal of tennis against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 1, 2024. l Credit: Xinhua/Gao Jing

Chinese tennis favourite Zheng Qinwen upset the world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland to reach the women's singles final, while her compatriots Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen also made history by sailing into the Paris Olympics tennis mixed doubles final on Thursday.

The victories marked China's best result in both of the events at the Olympics, after two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na finished fourth in the women's singles at Beijing 2008.

After a three-set tough win over German veteran Angelique Kerber in quarterfinal on Wednesday, Australian Open finalist Zheng fought even harder to defeat Swiatek 6-2, 7-5 at Roland Garros, ending her six straight losses to the four-time French Open winner.

"I finally showed I could beat the world No.1 on her best surface. I always knew I could do it, but there is a difference between knowing you can and showing it. Now, I feel my mental strength is at another level, and I am just going to give everything I have in the final," said Zheng, who will face the 13th seed Donna Vekic of Croatia on Saturday.

The 21-year-old added, "I am so happy that I can make this history for Chinese tennis. I always wanted to be one of the athletes who can get a medal for China, for our country, and right now I'm one of them."

Chinese pair Wang and Zhang rallied past Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands 2-6, 6-4, 10-4 in the mixed doubles semifinal. 

The 27-year-old Zhang said, "We just tried to fight every single match, down in the first set, coming back in the second, and winning the super tiebreak. That was amazing. I am super happy about this."

Wang/Zhang will confront Czech's pair Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac in the final on Friday.

Early on Thursday, world record holder Yang Jiayu claimed China's first athletics gold at the Paris Olympics, winning the women's 20km race walk in one hour, 25 minutes and 54 seconds.

Ecuador's Brian Daniel Pintado finished first in the men's 20km race walk in one hour, 18 minutes and 55 seconds.

"I started my Olympic journey as a substitute in 2016. At that moment, I started to dream of being a regular athlete to compete at the Olympics even to fight for the gold. So, this is an exciting moment for me.

I have been waiting for this gold medal for eight years," said the 28-year-old Yang, who set the world record in 2021 with 1:23:49 and led the Paris Olympics race almost from the start.

At the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, China's Liu Yukun bagged a gold medal in his Olympic debut after winning the men's 50m rifle 3 positions with 463.6 points, followed by Serhiy Kulish of Ukraine and India's Swapnil Kusale in the second and third place, respectively.

"I am very lucky because the Olympics happened at a time when I was in a good form," said a modest Liu, who has the word "LUCKY" emblazoned on the right leg of his shooting outfit.

Elsewhere, the reigning world champion Biles, 27, who won the all-round gold at Rio 2016 but pulled out of the event in Tokyo three years ago, reclaimed the title at Paris 2024 with 59.131 points, 1.199 ahead of the silver medalist Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, while the bronze went to another American gymnast Sunisa Lee.

"I'm super proud of my performance and the fight I have had for the last three years, mentally and physically, to get back competing on a world stage. The Olympic Games is an amazing experience, so I couldn't be prouder," Biles noted.

The United States also seized a gold in the swimming pool, as Kate Douglass won her first Olympic gold medal by winning the women's 200m breaststroke final in two minutes, 19.24 seconds.

The Australian team of Mollie O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell and Ariarne Titmus finished in an Olympic record time of seven minutes, 38.08 seconds to clinch the women's 4x200m freestyle relay title.

Hubert Kos clinched Hungary's first gold medal at the Paris Olympics by winning the men's 200m backstroke final, while Canada's Summer McIntosh won her second gold medal of the Games in the women's 200m butterfly.

Another three swimming golds will be produced at La Defense Arena on Friday. 

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Adriano's Decline: From Football Glory to Favela Streets
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 3, 2024 0

Health concerns arise as a recent video surfaces showing Adriano, the former Inter Milan and Brazil...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Man Utd seal deal with Amorim as new manager — Report
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara October 31, 2024 0

Manchester United has finalised an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to appoint 39-year-old Ruben Amori...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
W' World Cup: Nigeria bow out after  0-2 loss to USA in quarter-final
BY Benedicta Bassey October 27, 2024 0

Nigeria’s journey in this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup hit the end on Saturda...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
NSC boss seeks support to transform sports
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara October 26, 2024 0

Newly appointed National Sports Commission Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko has pledged to establish a ro...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Spanish, German soccer royalty clash in Champions League third round
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara October 22, 2024 0

It's the top team in Spain facing off against the elite German soccer clubs in the latest Champions...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Omeruo criticises CAF for allowing Libya host AFCON qualifiers
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara October 21, 2024 0

Super Eagles player, Kenneth Omeruo, has criticised the decision by the Confederation of African Foo...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Lionel Messi Shines with Hat Trick and Two Assists in Argentina’s 6-0 Victory Over Bolivia
BY Suleiman Jimoh October 16, 2024 0

Lionel Messi delivered a stunning performance in Argentina's 6-0 World Cup qualifying win against Bo...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Tuchel ready to take over as England's new manager
BY Benedicta Bassey October 16, 2024 0

Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager, Thomas Tuchel has reportedly agreed to become the next hea...

OUR CHANNELS:

OTHER ARTICLES ::

5th November, 2024
Economic Showdown: Atiku's Critique vs. Tinubu's Policies A Leadership Divide
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 5, 2024 0

In a recent exchange highlighting the growing tensions in Nigeria's political landscape, former Vice...


Indianapolis Woman Dies in I-65 Accident Near Columbus After Return from Kentucky Event
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 5, 2024 0

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A tragic accident claimed the life of Indianapolis resident Omotope G. Oyedir...


Adriano's Decline: From Football Glory to Favela Streets
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 5, 2024 0

Health concerns arise as a recent video surfaces showing Adriano, the former Inter Milan and Brazil...


Proposed tax reform bills not against North, says Presidency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 5, 2024 0

The Presidency has said contrary to job loss fears and perceived marginalisation of the North, the t...


Kaduna approves N72,000 minimum wage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 5, 2024 0

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has approved a new minimum wage of N72,000 for civil servants i...


Man Utd seal deal with Amorim as new manager — Report
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 5, 2024 0

Manchester United has finalised an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to appoint 39-year-old Ruben Amori...


Nile Group collaborates with Ooni of Ife to manage his theaters
BY Ebiakuboere England November 5, 2024 0

His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, and Nile Cinemas have inked a historic management contract fo...


Bruno Mars tops Spotify monthly listeners record
BY Ebiakuboere England November 5, 2024 0

Grammy-winning singer Bruno Mars has broken the previous record with 120,862,858 monthly Spotify lis...


South Africa to strip Chidimma Adetshina of ID documents
BY Ebiakuboere England November 5, 2024 0

Nigerian-South African Model Chidimma Adetshina faces the possibility of losing her national documen...


Senate confirms seven ministerial nominees
BY Benedicta Bassey November 5, 2024 0

The Senate has screened and confirmed seven ministerial nominees appointed by President Bola Ahmed T...


Menu