ReutersOlympics-Swimming-Late surges bring gold for US and Australia
With two astonishing late surges, American Bobby Finke won the men's 800m freestyle and Australia's Izaac Stubblety-Cook took the men's 200m breaststroke at the Tokyo Games on Thursday. Finke pulled off a major upset by winning gold ahead of Italian world champion Gregorio Paltrinieri, who led all the way until the 750m turn when German Florian Wellbrock moved in front for the last length. But Finke then made his late move and powered home in a time of 7:41.87.
ReutersPREVIEW-Rugby-Springboks look to bounce back and level series against Lions
South Africa will be hoping an additional week of work on the training pitch will provide them with the necessary physical prowess to overcome the British & Irish Lions in Saturday’s second test and level the three-game series. A fitter Lions roared back from a nine-point halftime deficit in last Saturday’s first test to win the series opener 22-17 and pile the pressure on the home country, whose own preparations had been hampered by COVID-19 infections. While the world champion Springboks started strongly, the Lions cleverly kept the ball in play longer than usual in an attritional test match, sucking the energy out of the hosts and forcing them into fatigue-filled errors.
ReutersCricket-Carey's captaincy was outstanding, says Australia coach Langer
Finch injured his knee during preparations for the three-match series and returned to Australia for treatment ahead of the team's six-wicket win over their hosts in the final game in Bridgetown. "I thought Alex Carey's captaincy was outstanding," Langer said, according to The Australian.
ReutersOlympics-Rowing-Croatia, New Zealand triumph in men's and women's pairs
TOKYO (Reuters) -Croatia's mighty Sinkovic brothers came out on top in the men's pair and New Zealand's unstoppable crew triumphed in the women's event as Olympic rowing continued on Thursday at Tokyo's blustery Sea Forest Waterway. Martin Sinkovic and Valent Sinkovic, who won gold in the double sculls in Rio and were pairs world champions in 2018 and 2019, pulled away from the field almost immediately to win in 6:15.29, 1.29 seconds ahead of silver medallists Romania, with Denmark taking bronze. After clinching their Wednesday semi-final in a world best time, Kiwis Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler again dazzled, overcoming a slow start and taking the lead shortly after the midway point to win in 6:50.19, with the Russian Olympic Committee team and Canada taking silver and bronze.
