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The shocking upsets so far at Tokyo Olympics
The shocking upsets so far in Tokyo
Published: Jul 30, 2021 09:18 PM
From time to time the Olympics throws up a tale of the unexpected, a rank outsider prevailing against all the odds.

The Games has already seen a number of shocking upsets. The following are some of the biggest surprises so far from the Tokyo Olympics:

Chinese relay team  Photo: VCG

Chinese relay team Photo: VCG



 China shocks in swimming relay 



China's women stunned the field to smash the world record and win the Olympic 4x200 meters relay title in a major upset on Thursday.

The team of Yang Junxuan, Tang Muhan, Zhang Yufei and Li Bingjie touched in 7 minutes and 40.33 seconds ahead of the United States (7:40.73) and Australia (7:41.29).

It is the first time neither Australia nor the USA have won gold since the event was introduced in 1996.

All three teams were under the previous world record of 7:41.50 set by Australia at the 2019 world championships.

Kento Momota of Japan  Photo: VCG

Kento Momota of Japan Photo: VCG

Momota eliminated


Japanese world badminton No.1 Kento Momota blamed his own "weakness" as he crashed out of the Tokyo Olympics in the first round on Wednesday.

Unseeded South Korean Heo Kwang-hee beat Momota 21-15, 21-19 to end his gold-medal bid after just two games, a day after Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka also made an early exit.

Momota won a record 11 titles in 2019 to cement his place as the undisputed best badminton player in the world.

But he was almost forced to retire last year after a car crash that left him with career-threatening injuries, and he admitted his killer instinct of old had not yet returned.

Biles out

The reigning world and Olympic all-around champion's bid for a record six gold medals in Tokyo ended abruptly when she unexpectedly dropped out of the women's team final after one vault and watched on as a spectator while the United States surrendered their title to Russia.

USA Gymnastics said the 24-year-old Biles' continued participation in the Games was uncertain.

"Simone has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue," said USA Gymnastics. "She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions."

Osaka's exit



Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka exited n the third round of Tokyo on Tuesday, days after she lit the Olympic cauldron.

The world No.2 was knocked out 6-1 6-4 by Czech Marketa Vondrousova in her first tournament since pulling out of the French Open in May, when she said she had been suffering from depression for almost three years.

"I definitely feel like there was a lot of pressure, this time around," Osaka said. "I think it's maybe because I haven't played in an Olympics before and for the first one to be here was a bit much.

Aussie Ash Barty  Photo: VCG

Aussie Ash Barty Photo: VCG

Barty's errors

Tennis world No.1 Ash Barty stumbled out of the tournament on Sunday after a lackluster, error-strewn performance.

The Australian, a twice Grand Slam champion fresh off her victory at Wimbledon, was dumped out of the women's singles in a stunning 6-4, 6-3 loss to 48th-ranked Sara Sorribes Tormo.

"I never really felt comfortable out there and wasn't able to play the match on my terms," she said. "I was a bit erratic and made too many errors."

'Unacceptable' defeat

China's long-invincible pair of Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen were narrowly defeated by Japan's Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito on Monday, giving the hosts their first Olympic table tennis gold in the mixed doubles event.

China have long enjoyed a reputation as the powerhouse in the sport, winning 28 of the 32 golds awarded since it was added at the 1988 Games, including all eight women's singles titles.

Xu and Liu, who silently tucked their silver medals inside their pockets once they stepped off the podium, both said their defeat was "unacceptable."

"I had a hard time accepting it," Liu said at a news conference after the defeat. "I feel sorry for my team."

Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia  Photo: VCG

Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia Photo: VCG

Tunisia stuns superpowers


Perhaps no medal of the Games will be celebrated more wildly than that earned by 18-year-old Ahmed Hafnaoui, who stunned swimming superpowers with victory from lane eight in the men's 400 meters freestyle.

"It's a dream and it became true - it was my best race ever," Hafnaoui said in an Olympic-level understatement after he held off heavily fancied Australian Jack McLoughlin and American Kieran Smith despite qualifying slowest for the final.

Hafnaoui received the ultimate validation as American medal machine Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer in history, labeled his performance an "unbelievable swim."

Anna Kiesenhofer of Austria Photo: VCG

Anna Kiesenhofer of Austria Photo: VCG

Victory for the teacher


Little-known Austrian amateur women's cyclist Anna Kiesenhofer made an audacious solo breakaway and somehow stayed clear to cross the line looking absolutely incredulous.

She was not alone, as the vastly-experienced four-woman Dutch team seeking a third successive title were somehow unaware she had escaped.

"I am happy that I was not too scared and I just went for it," said Kiesenhofer after winning Austria's first cycling gold since the inaugural Games of 1896.

A full-time teacher, Kiesenhofer now has a special tale to tell come September.