The second day of the Olympics saw Australia remaining at the top of the medal list, with four gold and two silvers, thanks to the efforts of its athletes.
Jess Fox finished first in the women’s K1 final, winning Australia’s fourth gold medal in the Games.
It was also the Australian flag bearer’s first gold in the event, having won the silver medal in the London Games back in 2012. But she appeared determined to make an impact this time around, completing the semi-final on Saturday with the fastest time.
A temporary slip to eighth during Sunday’s final was not enough to keep Fox down, who brought home the gold by having an almost two-second margin over her closest competitor, Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska.
Matildas fight back from the claws of defeat
The Matildas came dangerously close to bidding an early farewell to the Olympics as they found themselves down 4-2 to Zambia at halftime.
A potential loss, followed by the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Germany in the opening game, would’ve meant Tony Gustavsson’s team would have very little to play for in their third and final game against the United States.
Thankfully, they pulled off a counter-attack for the record books. Scoring four goals in less than 20 minutes of play, the Matildas turned a three-goal deficit into a victory and will now go into their final game against the four-time Olympic champions with their hopes for qualification intact.
Steph Catley was the star of the match, scoring two of Australia’s goals, including the crucial equaliser.
Australia’s Alanna Kennedy and her teammates celebrate scoring the opening goal against Zambia. Source: AP / Julio Cortez
Chloe Covell loses history-making bid for gold
Chloe Covell’s bid for Australian Olympic history ended in tears as her shot at the street skateboarding gold medal unravelled.
The 14-year-old did not land any of her five tricks in the medal round and finished last of the eight finalists.
Had she won, she would have become Australia’s youngest Olympic gold medallist.
What else happened?
Australian rowers Jess Morrison and Annabelle McIntyre posted the fastest time of the three women’s pair rowing heats, just ahead of Dutch world champions Ymkje Clevering and Veronique Meester, who also won their heat.
Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus cruised through the heats of the women’s 200m freestyle with O’Callaghan the top qualifier for the semi-finals and Titmus third quickest.
Alex de Minaur withdrew from his Olympic singles first-round clash with German Jan-Lennard Struff, opting to focus on doubles as he manages his hip injury.
The Hockeyroos avoided a South African ambush in a 2-1 Olympic opening win.
Australia surfer Molly Picklum survived a run-in with the reef but not her Olympics surfing heat, exiting the competition in the second round at Teahupo’o.
European champions Spain proved too strong for Australia in the men’s water polo, beating the Sharks 9-5.
Key quotes from day two
“It was just the perfect day for me — it didn’t start well but it finished really well, and it was just magical.” — Jess Fox after winning her first K1 Olympic gold medal.
“It was very hard work to get here … I just have to come back better and stronger for the next time.” — Chloe Covell after coming last in her final.
