TOKYO: Japan struck more gold on Monday to lead the medals table as sentiment towards the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics appeared to shift, and local fans defied organisers to grab a glimpse of the Games.
The hosts now have eight golds, one more than the US and two ahead of third-placed China.
Pint-sized 13-year-old Momiji Nishiya took gold in street skateboarding -- new to the Olympics in Tokyo -- while in one of the Games' staple sports a 'Terminator' hunted down a dominator to set the swimming pool alight.
Love and laughter filled the fencing venue where a marriage proposal was accepted a decade after an original rebuffal, but smiles were thin on the ground for boxing refugee Eldric Sella who, having dreamt for years of competing in the Olympic Games, lasted 67 seconds.
Britain's four-time Olympian Tom Daley finally won a long-yearned-for gold when, together with new diving partner Matty Lee, he pulled off a stunning victory in the men’s 10 metre synchronised platform, ending China's stranglehold on the event.
MAIDEN GOLD
Philippines' Hidily Diaz won her country's first ever gold medal, triumphing in the weightlifting 55kg category.
The 30-year-old Rio 2016 silver medallist from the southern city of Zamboanga realised her dream at the Tokyo International Forum, smashing her personal best to see off world record holder Liao Qiuyun of China who had to settle for silver.
With Liao setting a target of 223kg, just 4kg shy of her own world record, Diaz was faced with a final clean and jerk of 127kg to win -- fully 5kg more than she had ever achieved in competition.
With a massive effort she hoisted the huge Olympic record weight and the tears of joy began to flow even before she dropped the bar to the floor after a triumphant effort.
Liao took the silver, with Kazakhstan's Zulfiya Chinshanlo the bronze 10kg adrift of the top two.
"It's unbelievable, it's a dream, come true," Diaz said moments after the Philippines Air Force woman shed more tears on the podium as she saluted her flag and sung the national anthem.
"I want to say to the young generation in the Philippines, 'You can have this dream of gold too'.
"This is how I started and finally I was able to do it."
Diaz was already assured a place in her country's sporting folklore, alongside the likes of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, as the only woman from the sprawling archipelago ever to win an Olympic medal -- her surprise silver five years ago breaking a 20-year medal drought for the Philippines.
GLIMPSE OF GAMES
In the pool, Ariarne Titmus lived up to her 'Terminator' moniker by clawing back American Katie Ledecky's early lead to win the 400m freestyle final and pour petrol on the fierce Australia-US pool rivalry.
"I can't believe it, I'm trying to contain my emotions," said Titmus.
Team USA got their victory in the 4x100m men's relay, while Adam Peaty roared with pride after becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title with gold in the 100m breaststroke.
Locals defied organisers and gathered along the route of the triathlon, grabbing a rare opportunity to see live competition at the pandemic-hit Games.
"I think the risk of getting infected is extremely low, almost equal to zero," said Masao Kitada, a 35-year-old finance worker standing at the roadside. "The Tokyo Games are very special, so I can't miss this chance."
Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt took gold at the open-air triathlon route on the island of Odaiba in Tokyo Bay.
SCHOOLGIRL SKATEBOARDER
Organisers reported 16 new Olympics-related coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the total number to 148.
But Japanese media was full of Olympic success.
The Yomiuri Shimbun broadsheet, one of the world's largest newspapers by circulation, splashed photos of the judo gold medal-winning Abe siblings, swimmer Yui Ohashi and skateboarder Yuto Horigome with the word 'Gold' beneath each of their names.
Schoolgirl skateboarder Nishiya is sure to lead bulletins and adorn front pages now.
"I welled up in tears because I was beyond happy," Nishiya said, describing the moment when she realised she had won gold.
Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito put Japan top of the table late on Monday when they beat China's Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen to win gold in the table tennis mixed doubles.
Naomi Osaka looked good to add to the local haul later in the Games when she sailed into the third round of the tennis competition, sweeping past Swiss Viktorija Golubic.
"Definitely it would mean a lot for me to win gold here but I know it's a process," she said.
RUSSIAN MEN TRIUMPH
Nikita Nagornyy led the Russian team to the coveted men's artistic gymnastics gold at the Tokyo Olympics to add to their world title.
The Russians turned the turned the tables on Japan, who had pipped them to the title in Rio 2016. China had to settle for bronze.
Nagornyy joined Artur Dalaloyan -- who was competing after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury in April -- David Belyavskiy and Denis Abliazin.
The Russians last won the men's team title in 1996.
And they swelled with pride on top of the podium as Tchaikovsky's concerto No.1 filtered out through the sound system at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre. The Russian composer was called up to play the role of super sub as Russia's national anthem cannot be used because the country is under a doping suspension and their athletes are competing under a neutral banner. -- Agencies
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