Great Britain has celebrated its first Olympic champion in men’s trap shooting, as Nathan Hales achieved an impressive result at the Paris Olympics. Hales, competing in his first Olympic event, hit 48 out of 50 targets, setting a new Olympic record. He was just one target shy of his own world record score of 49, a feat that demonstrates exceptional skill.
The 28-year-old Hales missed only one shot in each of the two rounds, which led to a solid lead over China’s Qi Ying, who took the silver medal with a score of 44 points. “It feels completely unreal,” said Hales regarding his new status as Olympic champion.
Meanwhile, Serbia’s duo of Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec also made headlines by winning gold in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event. They staged a comeback after trailing behind Turkey’s Sevval Ilayda Tarhan and Yusuf Dikec, who were close to victory at 14-12.
India also celebrated, as Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh claimed bronze after defeating the South Korean pair of Oh Ye-jin and Lee Won-ho with a score of 16-10. With this win, Bhaker became India’s first multi-medal winner at the Olympics since 1947.
On the tennis courts, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz continued their strong partnership by eliminating the Dutch pair of Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, securing their place in the quarterfinals. While Nadal and Alcaraz shone, the second-seeded Coco Gauff had to exit the tournament after a third-round defeat, losing 7-6(7), 6-2. Gauff was visibly affected by a controversial call that saw her fall behind 4-2 in the second set, leading to a prolonged discussion with the umpire.
North Korea also celebrated a medal at the Games, winning silver in mixed doubles table tennis after losing to the Chinese duo of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha. The Chinese, who have been hailed as table tennis world champions, secured victory with scores of 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8. North Korea, which did not participate in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, acknowledged that their training with the Chinese team had been beneficial but that they still had much to learn.
The high temperatures in Paris, reaching up to 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), have also impacted some events. From football to tennis, participants have been allowed water breaks, and BMX riders have been seen resting under umbrellas between their races. Equestrian horses have been monitored with thermal cameras to ensure their well-being in the heat.
As the Paris Olympics progress, we continue to witness fascinating performances, exciting competitions, and remarkable stories from athletes around the world.