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
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. 

READ ALSO
Atletico Madrid prepares for Copa del Rey against Getafe amid LaLiga title chase
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 3, 2025 0

Atletico Madrid is gearing up for a crucial match against La Liga leaders Real Madrid this weekend,...

READ ALSO
Arsenal thrashes Man-city 5-1 in premier league showdown
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 3, 2025 0

In a thrilling encounter featuring six goals in the English Premier League on Sunday, Arsenal solidi...

READ ALSO
Title Race Heats Up: Arsenal, Manchester City clash in Premier League showdown
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 2, 2025 0

Arsenal face Manchester City in a highly anticipated Premier League showdown this afternoon as last...

READ ALSO
Rashford to join Villa On Loan, set medical on Sunday
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 2, 2025 0

Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford is close to finalizing a loan move to Aston Villa, with t...

READ ALSO
Perez re-elected as Real Madrid president
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 20, 2025 0

The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, was re-elected on Sunday for a term that extends unt...

READ ALSO
Focus on Glory: Super Eagles B begin closed-camp for CHAN 2025
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 6, 2025 0

Many Nigerian football enthusiasts are currently focused on the Remo Stars Sports Institute located...

READ ALSO
Super Eagles striker move to Hoffenheim for $9.2M
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 3, 2025 0

German Bundesliga club, Hoffenheim, has secured the services of Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Gif...

READ ALSO
Strange game Chelsea’s coach  reacts to Ipswich defeat
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 31, 2024 0

Chelsea coach, Enzo Maresca, has stated that his side’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Monday w...

OUR CHANNELS:

Penalty points system activates for traffic offenders- FRSC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 11, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), corps marshal, Shehu Mohammed, has orde...


Businessman kills friend in Ikoyi-police
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

LAGOS,Nigeria - The Nigerian Police have apprehended a murder suspect in Lagos. The individual, iden...


LASG to expand Red Line Rail service to enhance commuting efficiency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

LAGOS, NIgeria- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Sunday, made a significant announcemen...


Domestic refiners challenge crude producers over lack of allocations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

Access to crude oil for domestic refiners, including modular refineries, has remained nearly nonexis...


Adamawa Govt. refutes dismissed REC's claims on 2023 election results
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

The Adamawa State Government has refuted the recent assertion made by the dismissed Resident Elector...


NECA raises alarm over 4% customs administration charge
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed its worries regarding the...


Nasarawa University set for indefinite strike on Monday
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

Academic and non-academic personnel of higher education institutions in Nasarawa State, operating un...


UNICEF Urges Kano Govt. to intensify polio combat, routine immunisation efforts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 12, 2025 0

KADUNA, Nigeria (NAN) - The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Kano state g...


Kebbi Govt. prepares for mass wedding on february 27
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

The Kebbi state government has started preparations for a mass wedding set to take place on February...


Katsina police arrest two kidnappers, other criminals
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 8, 2025 0

KATSINA, Nigeria- The Katsina State Police Command has taken into custody two alleged kidnappers who...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu