Kuwaiti lands double trap gold
Even after a gruelling night at the pool, Michael Phelps looked as fresh as can be to start qualifying for his next event.
Phelps cruised through the preliminaries of the 200metre individual medley yesterday, posting the thirdfastest time behind teammate Ryan Lochte and Germany’s Philip Heintz.
Phelps is coming off a double gold-medal night at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, winning both the 200m butterfly and 4x200m freestyle relay late Tuesday.
After about five hours of sleep, he was back at the pool and ready to go for his fourth straight gold medal in the 200 Individual Medley.
“I’ve been able to put my body through things like this over the years. Hopefully, I can keep it rolling one last time,” he said.
Kuwait’s Fehaid Al Deehani, competing as an independent, captured men’s double trap gold by defeating Italy’s Marco Innocenti in the final match.
With Kuwait suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Al Deehani and seven other athletes were allowed to compete as independents in Rio.
The veteran of six Olympics needed a shoot-off with American Joshua Richmond to get into the finals but hit 28 targets to reach the gold medal match against Innocenti.
A proud officer in the Kuwait army, Al Deehani dropped to the ground and kneeled after reaching the final then pounded his chest as he walked away.
In the gold medal match, Al Deehani hit 26 targets and Innocenti 24. Al Deehani raised his arms in triumph after hitting the final two targets then turned and again pounded his chest at the crowd.
Al Deehani became the first Kuwaiti athlete to win an Olympic medal, with a bronze at Sydney in 2000, adding another in London four years ago.
Steven Scott hit all 30 targets to defeat Great Britain shooter Tim Kneale for the bronze medal.
Two-time Olympic champions Argentina have been eliminated from the Rio Games soccer tournament after a 1-1 draw against Honduras, which advanced to the quarter-finals along with Portugal.
Argentina needed to win yesterday to reach the knockout round.
Antony Lozano scored for Honduras in the 75th minute and Mauricio Martinez scored for Argentina in injury time.
Both teams missed penalties when the match was scoreless. Honduras captain Bryan Acosta had his shot saved by Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli before half-time, while Argentina playmaker Angel Correa hit the post from the spot in the 55th.
Portugal drew 1-1 against Algeria in Belo Horizonte to finish first in the group with seven points. Honduras and Argentina ended with four points, with Honduras ahead on goal differential. The Dutch gymnast known as the Lord of the Rings is on a quest to get back into the Olympics.
A spokesman for Gelderland Court said yesterday that Yuri van Gelder is seeking an injunction against the Netherlands Olympic Committee to get himself reinstated to the Dutch team in Rio.
Van Gelder was kicked off the team this week and sent home after leaving the athletes’ village Saturday night and not returning until early Sunday.
The Royal Netherlands Gymnastics Association said the 33-year-old Van Gelder, who previously served a year-long ban for cocaine use, admitted drinking alcohol while away from the village.
Court spokesman Maarten Brouwer says a hearing is set for tomorrow. Brouwer says Van Gelder is seeking an order reinstating him to the Dutch team in time to take part in the men’s rings final scheduled for Monday.