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Image: USA Today
Good morning, my fellow Americans! We're just four days away from the conclusion of the Tokyo Games, but still with plenty of Olympic action in store! Here are the biggest things you might have missed last night and this this last week, along with what's in store for tonight!
Before we get into the big stories, let's take a quick look at USA's Medal Count as of 8 AM EST:
USA MEDAL COUNT
Gold: 25
Silver: 30
Bronze: 22
Total: 77
USA Women's Basketball Takes Down Australia
In possibly their biggest challenge of the Olympic Tournament yet, the United States got off to a 17-0 run against Australia and never looked back, punching their ticket to the semifinals with a 79-55 victory. Against an Australia team featuring five WNBA Players, Breanna Stewart led the charge for the Americans, leading all scorers with 23 points. The Seattle Storm forward shot 80% from the field, while her teammate and Phoenix Mercury forward Brittney Griner dropped 15 while racking up 8 rebounds.
The United States will take on Serbia next to guarantee a spot in the Gold Medal game.
Americans Lead Track and Field Medal Count
With 3 golds, 7 silvers, and 3 bronzes, the United States has podiumed in track and field more times than any other nation at the Tokyo Games so far. Along with the medals, we've seen several Americans breaking records in a variety of categories.
In the 400m Hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin, a former University of Kentucky sprinter, set the world record in the event with a time of 51.46 seconds. McLaughlin beat out USA teammate, and former gold medalist in the category, Delilah Muhammad. Muhammad set her own personal best in the category to take Silver with a time of 51.58 seconds.
In the shot put, Raven Saunders, who gained fame recently for her Tik Toks around Olympic Village, as well as her incredibly intimidating joker mask, won Silver in the Women's Shot Put. Finishing with a distance of 19.79 meters, Saunders was just short of the Gold Medalist, Gong Lijao of China, who set a personal best of 20.58 meters.
What's on Tonight
Men's Basketball: Right after the USA Women's team routed Australia, both countries respective men's teams will face off in the semifinal round at 12:15 AM EST. A win here would guarantee at least Silver for the US.
Baseball: In the loser's bracket final, the USA will take on South Korea to punch a ticket to the Gold Medal Game. Should they win, they'll face Japan, who beat the US 7-6 earlier in this tournament.
Beach Volleyball: The United States will play Switzerland in the Women's semifinal.
Boxing: American Duke Ragan will take on Russian Albert Batyrgaziev in the Men's Featherweight Gold Medal Match. To get in the mood for this fight, I recommend a re-watch of Rocky IV.
See you tomorrow!