SWIMMING FINALS
(11.30am - 1.40pm)
Men’s 100m butterfly semi-finals: Matthew Temple
Women’s 100m freestyle final: Emma McKeon, Cate Campbell
Women’s 200m backstroke semi-finals: Kaylee McKeown, Emily Seebohm

11.39pm on Jul 29, 2021

Hockeyroos beat New Zealand, remain undefeated

The Hockeyroos are undefeated after four games. They beat New Zealand 1-0. Spain, Japan, China and now New Zealand have been beaten by this Australian side.

Emily Chalker’s clever, skillful finish in the third term was the difference in the end. Australia could have won by more if not for some brilliant goalkeeping by New Zealand’s Grace O’Hanlon, who was actually born in the Victorian town of Maryborough.

Her opposite number Rachael Lynch was barely called into action, making just the one save in the third term from a penalty corner. Australia’s defence just wouldn’t let NZ get anywhere near the goal, even when they pushed late.

They play their final group game against Argentina on Saturday.

Australia players huddle on pitch during the Women’s Preliminary Pool B match between New Zealand and Australia.Getty Images

11.32pm on Jul 29, 2021

‘I wanted to change my skin’: Medvedev out of tennis

On Wednesday, a break between the second and final set worked wonders for Daniil Medvedev during his third-round men’s singles match in Tokyo.

On Thursday, it didn’t. The world No.2 lost 6-2, 7-6(5) to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarter-final, despite leaving the court for another lengthy break to change clothes after losing the opening set.

“I changed everything I had [clothes],” Medvedev said afterwards. “I wanted to change my skin because I was sweating like I never did before. It was terrible.”

Daniil Medvedev wipes sweat from his face furing his quarter-final.AP

Playing under a blazing sun in humid conditions against Fabio Fognini in Wednesday’s first match on centre court, Medvedev struggled to breathe and said he was on the verge of collapsing.

On Thursday, the matches started from 3pm, local time, after organisers accepted the players’ plea to delay the start from the regular 11am due to the stifling conditions.

The Russian thanked world No.1 Novak Djokovic for pushing the players’ case with the International Tennis Federation.

“Novak is the man, thanks to him. I didn’t enjoy the conditions still, but it was much better than playing at 11,” Medvedev said with a smile.
Reuters

11.27pm on Jul 29, 2021

On the podium: Table tennis

11.23pm on Jul 29, 2021

‘She was tired’: Ariarne Titmus’ mum

Below is the transcript from a Seven interview with Robyn Titmus, Ariarne’s mum. It was done after her heat for the 800m freestyle tonight, where she qualified for the final. Some pretty good insights into Australia’s newest swim star in these answers.

Interviewer: You said earlier today after the relay she probably has a fire in the belly after that to scoot on through and post a good time here.

Robyn: “I think she was tired with the 200 relay. And I reckon she was disappointed when she got out of the pool. I could tell because she sets some fairly high benchmarks for herself. I reckon that spurred her on.”

Give us an insight. What does she do to relax? She has 36 hours now. What will she do? Actually will she be listening to your ’80s playlist?

Robyn: “I think she might because she’s let the cat out of the bag she does. She will want to get plenty of quiet time. Probably a massage, maybe physio, plenty of sleep, good food. But there’s no stress. There will be no social media. She will just chill and let her body recover. Ready for Saturday.”

What about superstitions? Does she have anything she doesn’t do or do.

Robyn: “There is something she does do on the blocks. If you look at her when she’s leaning down with her fingers it’s almost like she’s playing the piano. It’s like a little thing she’s done ever since she was a little girl. That is there. That’s her trademark. And I know she has her nails painted and some of the cameras picked that up in the past in promo shots. That’s Arnie.”

Ariarne Titmus poses with the gold medal for the women’s 200m freestyle Final on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.Getty Images

11.18pm on Jul 29, 2021

America has a new gymnastics champion

By Chip Le Grand

America has a new darling of gymnastics. Her name is Sunisa Lee, she is 18 years old and she is the new all-around Olympic champion.

Lee is a teenager from the twin city of St Pauls in Minnesota. She is a member of the Hmong community, the first to represent America at the Olympics.

Lee reacts after getting her score for the floor apparatusAP

With Simone Biles, a gymnast who has not lost an all-around event at a major competition for eight years, looking on from the stands, this night was always going to produce something new and unexpected.

Yet, to think where she has come from, with her father fashioning a makeshift balance beam in their backyard, it is remarkable that Lee ever got to Tokyo, let alone that she will leave it as a celebrated champion.

Click here to read the full story on Lee’s win.

11.08pm on Jul 29, 2021

Goal for the Hockeyroos

Emily Chalker has yet another goal for these Olympics. She’s got four in Tokyo now. The Hockeyroos have turned a lot of pressure into a goal.

It was a swift move up the field, with Chalker running away from goal, deflecting the ball in mid-air into the goal.

A ripping way to open the scoring. It’s 1-0 Australia with 10 to play in the third term.

Australia’s Emily Chalker knocks the ball out of the air.AP

11.04pm on Jul 29, 2021

Hockeyroos locked in draw with NZ, second half begins

It’s been a tight clash so far in the hockey, with the score at 0-0 as the third term begins. The Hockeyroos had a penalty corner chance late in the second quarter but it was defended well by New Zealand.

The Hockeyroos – and the Kookaburras for that matter – are undefeated so far in Tokyo.

It’s a remarkable result given both Australian sides have been locked away from the rest of the world for 18 months, and have only played New Zealand to warm up.

These two teams know each other well then.

Australia’s Amy Rose Lawton knocks the ball out of the air against New Zealand .AP

10.55pm on Jul 29, 2021

On the podium: Fencing

10.28pm on Jul 29, 2021

Hockeyroos under way against New Zealand

The Hockeyroos get the chance to continue their unbeaten run in the Olympics with their game against New Zealand. So far they’ve starred at these Games, beating Japan, China and Spain.

It’s been a remarkable effort from the Hockeyroos, who have endured a tumultuous 18 months. Their coach left, as did virtually all his key support staff because of unrest in the camp.

Star goalkeeper Rachael Lynch had to appeal being dropped from the squad to make the Olympics, while many players before her have left the Hockeyroos system because of problems with the culture.

That unrest looks miles away in Tokyo however, with new coach Katrina Powell doing a sterling job thus far.

It’s currently Australia 0 New Zealand 0 in the first term.

Elisabeth Jenner in action for the Hockeyroos.Getty Images

Tokyo Olympics as it happened: Jess Fox wins gold; Titmus, Ledecky make 800m freestyle final; Hockeyroos beat the Kiwis

Key Posts

That’s it for today

Hockeyroos beat New Zealand, remain undefeated

‘I wanted to change my skin’: Medvedev out of tennis

On the podium: Table tennis

‘She was tired’: Ariarne Titmus’ mum

America has a new gymnastics champion

Goal for the Hockeyroos

Hockeyroos locked in draw with NZ, second half begins

On the podium: Fencing

Hockeyroos under way against New Zealand

Our Sites

Classifieds

The Sydney Morning Herald

Products & Services