The first days of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics brought some shocking turn of events that knocked even the greatest competitors in the world off their seats.
Tokyo 2020 officially kicked off last Friday, July 23, and it did not disappoint.
Athletes from all over the world came in to give a good fight despite fans not allowed to spectate.
Though as with every competition, there are bound to be some shocking turn of events that would knock even the greatest competitors in the world off their seats.
Here are some of the “first week shockers” from the Tokyo games:
Basketball
First off, the USA gets their first loss in Men’s Basketball since 2004. Team USA men’s basketball was defeated by the French in a stunning opening loss.
The Americans led Team France by seven with under four minutes remaining, but the French scored the next 14 points for a shocking 83-76 victory last Sunday night.
Team USA’s next Pool A game is Wednesday against Iran, which lost its opener, 84-78, earlier Sunday to the Czech Republic.
Tennis
World Tennis No.1 Ash Barty has crashed out of the Olympic Games in the first round after a tough showing in the Tokyo heat against Spain's Sara Sorribes.
Barty, fresh off winning an historic Wimbledon title, struggled with a poor first serving percentage in a 6-4, 6-3 loss to the Spaniard.
The Aussie was clearly off her rhythm and made a number of unforced errors to leave her reeling 5-3 in the second set.
Sorribes then closed out the match to send the World No.1 packing in the biggest upset so far.
Swimming
Japanese world champion Daiya Seto failed to qualify for the 400m individual medley final. Seto, the top ranked swimmer in the event, failed to make the final altogether.
The 27-year-old was the bronze medallist in Rio five years ago and favourite to win gold in Sunday's final.
Seto made the final turn in first place but ran out of gas in the final 20 metres, finishing fifth in his heat.
It was 21-year-old Victoria Brendon Smith who emerged as a shock gold medal contender, breaking the Australian record to qualify fastest for the final.
Table tennis
Indian table tennis player G Sathiyan suffered an upset defeat at the hands of lower-ranked Siu Hang Lam to make an early exit from the men's singles competition.
Ranked 38 and seeded 26th, Sathiyan had a commanding 3-1 lead but lost four games in a row to lose 3-4 to the 95th ranked Hong Kong player.
Carlos Yulo Photo from Rappler
Gymnastics
Pinoy Gymnast Carlos Yulo, one of the favorites to win the gold in floor exercise, shockingly did not perform his best in the floor exercise category.
He finished a disappointing 44th, no thanks to two poor landings in the early part of his routine.
But Yulo’s medal quest is far from over. He earned one of the eight spots in the vault finals after scoring 14.712 for sixth place behind Korea’s Shin Jeahwan.
Tune in for more Olympics shockers as the games will be played in the world’s highest stage in the days to come. (NP)
Tags: #TokyoOlympics, #surprisewins, #internationalcompetition