Tokyo Olympics Recap: Jacobs becomes 100m king on memorable day for Italy, McKeon and Dressel go out on a high

By Sports Desk August 01, 2021

The men's 100 metres event took centre stage in Sunday's Tokyo Olympics action as Marcell Jacobs won gold at the Olympic Stadium.

Jacobs, the first Italian to even reach the final, broke the European record with a time of 9.80 seconds to finish ahead of Fred Kerley and Andre De Grasse.

That triumph came shortly after an incredible conclusion to the men's high jump that saw Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi and Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim share the gold medal.

There was nothing to separate the pair after two hours of competition and, with both men tied on 2.37m, they agreed to share first place rather than have a jump-off.

Italy winning two athletics gold medals at the same Olympics for the first time since Athens 2004 was the story of the day, but there were plenty more talking points on Sunday.

 

PAN GETS BRONZE AFTER EPIC PLAY-OFF

Xander Schauffele landed Olympic gold for the United States on the golf course on a nail-biting final round of action that saw Rory Sabbatini take silver with an Olympic record 10-under round of 61.

That was just half the story, though. Seven players finished in a tie for third, setting up a thrilling play-off that culminated in Chinese Taipei's CT Pan pipping Open champion Collin Morikawa to an unlikely bronze.

It marks quite the turnaround for Pan, who was way down in 39th after a first-round three-over 74. Indeed, even the world number 208 himself was shocked to hold his own among the world's elite golfers.

"That was very satisfying," Pan said. "It came as a surprise to me. After day one, I remember I texted one of my good friends and I was like, 'the struggle is real'. I couldn't even think about winning a medal. 

"I didn't even think about it after Thursday's round. Overall, that was a very happy ending."

Rory McIlroy was one of the players to miss out on bronze in the play-off, though even the Irishman has been won over by the success of this week's event in Tokyo – just the fourth time golf has been staged at a Games.

"I've never tried so hard in my life to finish third," he said. "It's been a great experience. Today was a great day, to be up there in contention for a medal.

"I've made some comments on the Olympics before that were probably uneducated and impulsive. I'm excited about how this week turned out and I'm excited for the future.

"It's been a throwback to the good old days when we didn't play for money. It was great, a really enjoyable week."

NO BETTER FEELING FOR ZVEREV

Zverev won the ATP Finals in 2018 and reached last year's US Open title match, but nothing compares to winning Olympic gold for his country in the view of the German.

Having defeated favourite Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, Zverev carried his momentum into Sunday's final with Russian Olympic Committee's Karen Khachanov to land the biggest title of his career.

The 24-year-old took just 79 minutes to record a comfortable 6-3 6-1 victory at Ariake Tennis Park as he became Germany's first men's singles champion at the Olympics. 

"There is nothing better than this," he said. "You are not only playing for yourself, you are playing for your country. The Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world.

"The feeling I have now, and will have, nothing will be better."

 

MCKEON AND DRESSEL REIGN SUPREME ON FINAL DAY OF SWIMMING

Australia's Emma McKeon marked the final day of swimming at Tokyo 2020 by making history with her victories in the women's 50m freestyle and women's 4x100m medley relay at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

She has four golds in Tokyo and seven podium finishes in total, making her just the second woman to win that number of medals in one Olympic Games after Maria Gorokhovskaya in artistic gymnastics at Helsinki 1952.

"I never thought I'd win two gold medals in one session. I'm very happy," she said. "It is very surreal.

"I feel like it has been a bit of a roller coaster getting a gold medal and trying to keep the emotions at bay. It will take a while to sink in because I've been focusing on myself to keep my cool. 

"I'm very proud of myself. I wouldn't be able to do it without all the support around me."

Caeleb Dressel rounded off his own Olympics in style, too, by finishing top of the podium in the men's 50m freestyle with an Olympic record of 21.07s, before adding a fifth gold in the men's 4x100m medley.

The 24-year-old swam the fastest butterfly split in history in the second of those events (49.03s) to help the United States to a world record time of 3:26.78, enough to hold off a Great Britain quartet that included Adam Peaty and Duncan Scott.

Dressel, who now has three of the six quickest times in history to his name, said: "I'm proud of myself. I think I reached what my potential was here at these Games.

"It was just really fun racing. I'll give myself a pat on the back and then I'll just put it away and move forward. I'm going to take a break here – I'm pretty over swimming!"

WHITLOCK DOUBLES UP, HISTORIC GOLD FOR BELGIUM

A lot has changed for Max Whitlock in the five years since winning gold in the men's pommel horse in Rio – not least becoming a father – but the outcome was exactly the same in Tokyo.

The Team GB gymnast went first and delivered a superb routine that earned him a score of 15.583. After a nervous wait, Whitlock was confirmed as back-to-back gold medallist in the discipline – just the second male to achieve that – and a three-time gold medallist overall. 

Throw in the two World Championship titles he has won and the 28-year-old can now be considered the most successful gymnast of all time in the event.

"I feel absolutely lost for words, I can't even describe the feeling and I feel completely overwhelmed – it feels surreal," Whitlock told BBC Sport.

Elsewhere at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre on Sunday, Artem Dolgopyat won gold for Israel in the men's floor exercise and Rebeca Andrade became the second Brazilian athlete to win Olympic gold in artistic gymnastics by coming out on top in the women's vault.

History was made in the women's uneven bars, an event made unpredictable by the withdrawal of Simone Biles, as Nina Derwael held off Anastasiia Iliankova and Sunisa Lee to claim Belgium's first Olympic gold medal in artistic gymnastics.

Derwael, the fifth Belgian female to win Olympic gold in an individual event at the Games, said: "It's a fantastic feeling. I still can't believe it. It's been a long road to get here, it's been a long week. 

"Standing on the podium was such a magical moment. I really felt like I was dreaming, and I still had to wake up. I felt like the day still had to start. It's just unbelievable."

Related items

  • Daniil Medvedev books last-four clash with Jannik Sinner Daniil Medvedev books last-four clash with Jannik Sinner

    Defending champion Daniil Medvedev saw off a late challenge from Nicolas Jarry to book a Miami Open semi-final rematch with Jannik Sinner.

    Medvedev beat Sinner in last year’s Miami final, but the Italian came from two sets down to claim the Australia Open title in January.

    World number four Medvedev cruised through the first set against Jarry 6-2 but had to battle his way through a tie-break win in the second set as the Chilean fought his way back into the match.

    “The first set I thought I was playing a good level, not doing anything extra, just enough to win,” Medvedev said.

    “Then he started to play much better and it was tough rallies, tough points. He served better and it was just a matter of a few points in the tie-break.”

    Sinner reached his fourth semi-final of the year as he eased past Tomas Machac 6-4 6-2 in 91 minutes.

    “Physically I feel good. I’m just happy to compete,” Sinner said.

    “We practise very hard to be in these positions and I’m really happy I can play once again in the semis here at such a special tournament.

    “It’s special for me, I made my first Masters 1000 final here, so I’m really happy to be back in the semis.”

  • Victoria Azarenka battles to keep hopes of fourth Miami Open title alive Victoria Azarenka battles to keep hopes of fourth Miami Open title alive

    Victoria Azarenka kept her hopes of a fourth Miami Open title alive as she reached the semi-finals with a hard-earned victory over Yulia Putintseva.

    The number 27 seed, a winner here in 2009, 2011 and 2016, laboured for just under three hours as she battled past her Kazakhstani opponent 7-6 (4) 1-6 6-3.

    The 34-year-old saved three set points at 5-4 down in the opening set, then failed to convert two of her own before she held her nerve in the tie-break with some decisive forehands.

    Putintseva hit back hard in the second, giving up a solitary game as she found her rhythm, but the momentum shifted when Azarenka salvaged a pair of break points at the start of the decider.

    After regaining control she did not take advantage of her first match point at 5-2 up, but made no mistake when the chance opened up again in her next service game.

    Azarenka will face another Kazakhstani opponent in the last four after Elena Rybakina outlasted eighth seed Maria Sakkari in another marathon clash 7-5 6-7 (4) 6-4.

    The fourth seed, runner-up in 2023, won the first set with a late break before Sakkari – who reached the final in Indian Wells last week – survived two match points to edge a tight second set on the tie break.

    But Rybakina, who had already gone the distance twice in Miami, broke in the seventh game of the decider and served out to win – more than an hour after her first match points.

    “I have no words because I’m so tired. But I’m really happy with the win. It was such a tough battle,” said Rybakina after clinching the win in two hours and 48 minutes.

  • Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz march into last eight in Miami Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz march into last eight in Miami

    Second seed Jannik Sinner moved into the last eight of the Miami Open as he produced a strong showing to see off Christopher O’Connell.

    The Italian came through 6-4 6-3 in windy conditions after weathering early problems. Behind 3-1 and 0-30 in the first set, he regained his composure to take five of the next six games.

    Showing greater composure than his Australian opponent, Sinner broke at the first time asking in the second set and closed out the win in one hour 51 minutes.

    Sinner, runner-up here in 2021 and 2023 – will meet Tomas Machac. The Czech, 23, is looking for a second successive Italian scalp after beating Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 6-3 to earn his first appearance in a Masters 1000 quarter-final.

    Another Italian bowed out as 23rd seed Lorenzo Musetti was brushed aside 6-3 6-3 by top seed Carlos Alcaraz, who won 18 points from his 22 visits to the net.

    “I tried to play my game, play aggressive with my shots, go to the net, drop shots, my style,” said the Spaniard. “I think I did pretty well, and I’m really happy with my performance.

    “I’m feeling great on the court. I’m moving great, not injured or thinking about the ankle [injury] anymore. I think this is the best feeling since last summer.”

    Next up for Alcaraz is 11th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who came from a set down to edge past eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz 3-6 6-3 7-6(3).

    Defending champion Daniil Medvedev came through in straight sets against Dominik Koepfer. After needing a tie-break to take a back-and-forth first set 7-6(5), the Medvedev ran up a 6-0 scoreline in a one-sided follow-up.

    He goes on to play Nicholas Jarry, after the Chilean’s 7-6(3) 6-3 success over Casper Rudd.

    Unseeded Fabian Marozsan continued his run as he upset ninth seed Alex de Minaur 6-4 0-6 6-1.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.