Philippines, Hk, Bermuda Win Olympic Gold Medals
The Olympic Games offer opportunities for athletes from all parts of the world, including many from across Asia.
Philippine skateboarder Margielyn Didal was tipped for a medal in the sport's Olympic debut. But the 22-year-old ended up in 7th place after struggling on a trick. Didal, who started skating when she was 12, was a flagbearer at the opening ceremony. Back in 2018, she was named one of Time magazine's "25 most influential teens."
It was a much better day for another competitor from the Philippines. Hidilyn Diaz took the country's first-ever gold in the women's 55 kilogram-category weightlifting. The 30-year-old lifted a combined weight of 224 kilos for a new Olympic record.
Diaz said, "Winning the gold medal, it's a really big thing for me and for all the Philippinos. We can! We can, and I know they are proud to be Philippino."
Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka Long dramatically grabbed the territory's first Olympic gold since 1996.
He took down Italy's defending champion Daniele Garozzo 15-11 in a hard-fought men's individual foil event.
Fans at public-viewing events back home in Hong Kong made the most of the rare piece of good news from the Games.
As for the triathlon, competitors had another early day, with the women's individual event getting underway at 6:45 a.m. albeit after a 15-minute delay due to bad weather. As with the men's race, organizers had hoped to beat Tokyo's extreme heat and humidity.
Flora Duffy from Bermuda crossed the finish line for the island nation's first-ever gold medal. Britain's Georgia Taylor-Brown won silver, and American Katie Zaferes took bronze.
In surfing, the medal events have been moved up a day to avoid projected strong storm swells that could affect the quality of the waves. Both men's and women's medals are now due to be decided later on Tuesday.