History was made on Monday, 29 July, at Paris Olympics when Germany’s Michael Jung became the first rider in equestrian eventing history to win three individual titles.
Jung, one of the greatest eventing riders of all time, will now return home to hang another individual Olympic gold next to his Rio 2016 and London 2012 medals.
Chris Burton of Australia takes the individual silver while Great Britain’s fresh team eventing Olympic champion Laura Collett secured individual bronze.
Eventing, known as the “triathlon” of equestrians, demands consistency from riders across all three disciplines: cross country, dressage, and jumping.
In another thrilling medal event on Monday, Tom Pidcock, from Great Britain, overcame a tire puncture to retain his Olympic title in a thrilling men’s cycling mountain bike cross country race.
The world champion finished ahead of France’s Victor Koretzky who crossed the line second, while Alan Hatherly became South Africa’s first ever Olympic mountain bike medallist. He won bronze.
Koretzky led almost the entire race before losing the lead to Pidcock momentarily on the final lap. The French rider responded by dashing past Pidcock during a dramatic final lap that saw the pair almost collide on the rocky terrain.
Pidcock, who won this event at Tokyo 2020, overtook Koretzky in a daring final push as the two riders split either side of a tree and the British rider veered in front, never looking back.
Pidcock had earlier suffered a tire puncture, losing 34 seconds, but bounced back to become the first back-to-back gold medalist in cycling mountain bike men’s cross country since 2008.
“This week, the bit leading up to the Olympics, so many things go through your head like emotions and scenarios. By the time you get on the start line, you’re a bit knackered as it is,” Pidcock said.
Tuesday’s schedule points towards another day of action-packed events.
At 11:30am Kabul time, Italy will take on Egypt in the Men’s Volleyball preliminary round. This event will be screened live on Ariana Television.
At 12:30, Men’s under 81kg Judo elimination round will be broadcast live. Other live Volleyball events to look out for on Tuesday are USA vs Germany; and Slovenia vs Serbia. These will be broadcast live on Ariana Television at 15:30 and 17:30 respectively.
Rowing and Boxing are another two events to watch out for along with Men’s Football group matches. At 17:30 the Dominican Republic will face Uzbekistan; and at 19:30 Ukraine will take on Argentina.