Team USA Olympic swimmer Chase Kalisz secured the first United States gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 Games on Sunday.
Kalisz, a two-time Olympian and a graduate of the University of Georgia, completed the men’s 400 individual medley in 4 minutes and 9.42 seconds, besting his teammate Jay Litherland, who finished 0.86 seconds later. Litherland secured a silver medal, while Kieran Smith of Australia finished third.
In the women’s version of the event, U.S. swimmer Emma Weyant won silver, while her teammate Hali Flickinger took bronze. Japanese swimmer Yui Ohashi won the race.
TOKYO OLYMPICS COMMENCE WITH SUBDUED CEREMONY AFTER ROCKY BEGINNINGS
The victory came as the U.S. failed to medal on Day One of the summer Olympics for the first time since 1972. China took three gold medals, while Japan acquired a gold and a silver.
Also on Sunday, Anastasija Zolotic became the first U.S. woman to win gold in taekwondo after she defeated Tatiana Kudashova of the Russian Olympic Committee. The final score was 25-17.
In all, the U.S. has secured 10 medals, four were gold, two silver, and four bronze, thus far. The U.S. is ranked third in the contest, trailing behind China, which sits in the top spot, and Japan.
Anastasija Zolotic just became the 1st American woman to win Olympic gold in taekwondo ?@USA_Taekwondo x @TeamUSA x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/oGWjQfvLJr
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 25, 2021
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The games began on Friday in a ceremony many described as subdued as athletes were met by a nearly empty stadium ahead of the worldwide contest, which will end on Aug. 8. At least 127 COVID-19 cases have rocked the Olympic village since players arrived earlier this month.
The games, despite the hiccups and stringent protocols that have banned fans from attendance, are set to proceed on Sunday with an array of sports, including baseball, boxing, soccer, and field hockey. Gymnastics are underway and set to continue throughout the week.
