Anthony Leads Team USA to Third Straight Olympic Gold in Men’s Basketball

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Carmelo Anthony is basketball’s golden boy…

The 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican basketball star helped lead Team USA to a 96-66 win over Serbia at the 2016 Rio Games, to give the United States the gold medal in Men’s Basketball.

It’s Anthony, who has won his third gold medal in four tries, says he’s done with international competition.

The New York Knicks star first represented the United States at the 2004 Athens Games when Team USA won bronze under Larry Brown.

“I knew this is the end,” Anthony told Ros Gold-Onwude on NBC moments after the team’s big win. “This is it for me. I committed to something …” Anthony then paused for 21 seconds, soaking in the cheers from the crowd. “I committed to this in ’04. I’ve seen the worst and I’ve seen the best. And I stuck with it. And we stuck with it. And I’m here today, three gold medals later. I’m just, I’m excited for me but also for the other guys who never experienced anything like this.”

It’s the most emotional Anthony has ever been publicly, and it’s understandable.

Throughout his 13 years in the NBA, he has received all sorts of criticism for his teams being unable to win big. While he has been a terrific playoff performer, he has only been to the conference finals once.

On the international stage, though, Anthony has been more successful than just about anybody.

Anthony is the only male basketball player to win three Olympic gold medals. He is Team USA’s all-time leader in points, games played and rebounds at the Olympics. He can retire from the national team knowing that his dedication to USA Basketball can never be questioned.

That is unless Anthony isn’t convinced to do it all over again at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

LeBron James is around the same age as Anthony, and he has intentionally left the door open to participate, as he would like to play for new Team USA coach Gregg Popovich. Also read: Do you have a friend, kid or relative that you are looking to surprise with a basketball related gift? Well, I understand it’s a confusing and tedious process. Lucky for you I have put together a hand-picked list of the best basketball gifts for players and fans. Roadtoreno helps you to choose best gift. Chances are that they will love whichever product you will choose.

Santos & His Brazilian Teammates Claim Gold in Men’s Volleyball at the 2016 Rio Games

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Sérgio Santos is back at the top of the medal podium…

The 40-year-old Brazilian volleyball player, the only Olympian ever to reach four finals in a row in Men’s Volleyball, helped lead his team past Italy to reclaim the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games.

Brazil beat a strong Italian team in straight sets, 25-22, 28-26, 26-24, on Sunday for the home team’s first Olympic title in 12 years since a championship at the 2004 Athens Games.

As the delirious home crowd hung out to watch the medal ceremony, fans danced in the stands and chanted “Campeao! Campeao!”

“It’s really special, especially winning in our own home it leaves a really good taste,” Brazil’s William Arjona said. “It’s a whole life of work and this is our result. We are very happy for this.”

At the very end, Santos grabbed the microphone and expressed his gratitude to thousands inside and millions elsewhere, thanking the adoring crowd and telling all the fans how much he cherishes wearing Brazil’s yellow shirt on his chest.

Then, he and the champion Brazilians took a victory lap and celebrated some more. They capped the final day of the 2016 Summer Olympics with a memorable, emphatic volleyball victory.

Brazil’s men avenged a loss to Russia in the 2012 London Games gold-medal match with a straight-set victory Friday night, then carried that momentum — and rode the energy of their huge crowd — to the top spot of the Olympic podium.

The Brazilians reached their fourth straight Olympic title match and finally came out champions once more. Even sweeter to reach the gold-medal match by knocking down the Russia team that beat them for gold in London.

The Brazilians then grabbed Santos and tossed him in the air, time and time again. The fitting gesture for a national team treasure and beloved libero in what likely was his last Olympics.

Coloma Claims Bronze in Men’s Cross Country at the 2016 Rio Games

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

The third time’s the charm for Carlos Coloma…

The 34-year-old Spanish mountain biker, participating in his third Olympics, won the bronze medal in the Men’s Cross-Country competition in mountain bike cycling at the 2016 Rio Games.

Coloma finished the race with a time of 1:34:51, just shy of Switzerland’s Nino Schurter, who claimed the gold with a time of 1:33:28 and the Czech Republic’s Jaroslav Kulhavý, who finished just ahead of Coloma at 1:34:18.

In his first Olympics, Coloma finished in 28th place at the 2008 Beijing Games. Four years later, he moved up to 6th place at the 2012 London Games.

Mohedano & Her Teammates Give Spain Its First Rhythmic Gymnastics Medal in 20 Years

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Lourdes Mohedano has helped bring Spain back into the medal circle in rhythmic gymnastics…

The 21-year-old Spanish group rhythmic gymnast and her teammates claimed the silver in the Women’s Team All-Around at the 2016 Rio Games, putting Spain back on the medal podium after a 20 year absence.

Trailing overnight, Russia outperformed their rivals on Sunday to claim a fifth straight Olympic gold, pushing Spain into silver and Bulgaria into bronze.

The Spaniards eventually returned to the podium for the first time since 1996 with a silver.

Russia’s two-round total of 36.233 was good enough to survive a serious scare from Spain, which led qualifying on Saturday and was on top again after ribbons. Spain, which won the first Olympic gold awarded in the sport when it was introduced at the 1996 Atlanta Games, was hardly complaining about the outcome.

Four years ago the Spanish were a close fourth.

A medal of any color would have been fine, though even they were taken aback when they found themselves on top of the leaderboard during qualifying.

“Yesterday came as a surprise to us,” Alejandra Quereda said. “Of course we worked toward a medal but we didn’t expect things to happen like that. For us, a silver medal tastes like gold to us.”

It also raised the stakes heading toward the 2020 Tokyo Games. Russia remains on top, though the gap may finally be closing.

“Nobody is undefeatable,” Quereda said. “We could see that yesterday. Yes, Russia is strong in rhythmic gymnastics but we’re getting there.”

Gasol & His Teammates Give Spain a Men’s Basketball Bronze at the 2016 Rio Games

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

They may not be this year’s Golden boys, but Pau Gasol and his Spanish teammates still have reason to celebrate.

The 36-year-old professional basketball player, who will be heading to the San Antonio Spurs this upcoming NBA season, scored 31 points in what could be his Olympic farewell, as Spain collected the bronze medal in Men’s Basketball at the 2016 Rio Games on Sunday with an 89-88 win over Australia.

Sergio Rodriguez made two free throws with 5.4 seconds left and the Spaniards, who captured silver at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Games, got the defensive stop they needed as Australia fumbled the ball away on its last possession.

Gasol, who hasn’t committed to playing at the 2020 Tokyo Games, and his teammates celebrated by piling on top of each other near center court.

It wasn’t the medal they wanted, but after losing their first two games in Brazil, it beats nothing.

“Unbelievable,” forward Rudy Fernandez said. “It’s an amazing feeling.”

It’s a feeling Gasol wishes could last. He isn’t ready to shed his España jersey.

“I’m getting older and at some point I’m not going to be able to play,” said Gasol. “So when that day comes, I’ll accept it. It’ll be hard, but I had an incredible run. I can’t ask for anything else. Everything I gave, everything I lived as a basketball player, it’s a plus. It’s a gift.

“I’m just enjoying the ride.”

Sanchez Claims Silver in Men’s Individual 10m Platform Final at the 2016 Rio Games

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s another silver for Germán Sánchez…

The 24-year-old Mexican diver, nicknamed “Duva,” claimed the silver medal in the Men’s Individual 10m Platform diving final at the 2016 Rio Games.

China’s Chen Aisen emerged from a tightly contested field to claim the gold medal with 585.30 points.

Sanchez won the silver with 532.70 points and USA’s David Boudia, the reigning Olympic champion, totaled 525.25 to claim bronze.

The Guadalajara native won his first individual medal at the Olympics following his second-place showing at the 2012 London Games four years ago.

Along with Ivan Garcia, Sanchez won the silver in the men’s 10-meter synchronized platform jump at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Lopez Claims Boxing Gold at the 2016 Rio Games

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a golden moment for Arlen Lopez…

The 23-year-old Cuban boxer, the current world champion, beat Uzbekistan’s Bektemir Melikuziev on a unanimous points decision to win the Olympic middleweight title on Saturday, Cuba’s third boxing gold medal of the 2016 Rio Games.

Azerbaijan’s Kamran Shakhsuvarly and Mexico’s Misael Rodriguez, his country’s first medalist in the division since 1968, took the bronze medals as losing semi-finalists.

Fighting half an hour after compatriot Robeisy Ramirez had won bantamweight gold, Lopez ensured Cuba won two of the day’s three finals by taking the opening rounds before easing off slightly in the third.

The top seed coming into the tournament, Lopez always looked the more polished fighter in what was a repeat of the 2015 world championship final and he closed out the draw with a 3-0 win.

Lopez caught Melikuziev with his arm in the third round, leading to a brief pause while the Uzbek had medical attention for a gash above his eye.

Cuba have now won middleweight gold five times, equaling the United States and Britain.

“There was some information from people in the stands through signals that I was ahead and that encouraged me and I knew the victory was in my hands,” said Lopez, who celebrated with a forward roll on the canvas.

Japan’s Ryoto Murata won the title in 2012 and then turned professional.

Neymar Leads Brazil’s Soccer Team to Its First Olympic Gold Medal

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Neymar kicks his way into Brazil’s history books…

The 24-year-old Brazilian soccer star helped lead Brazil’s Olympic soccer team to victory against Germany in the gold medal match at the 2016 Rio Games.

Neymar, who had to settle for a silver at the 2012 London Games after losing to Mexico in the gold medal match, scored the winning goal in a dramatic shootout that ended with a score of 5-4, following a 1-1 draw in regulation.

All around him, 70,000 Brazilians inside the vast Maracana Stadium chanted his name, expecting — no, demanding — their nation’s biggest soccer star deliver a historic success at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Neymar paused, gathering his thoughts as he stuttered towards the ball, almost grinding to a halt before stroking his penalty kick high to the left of Germany’s goalkeeper Timo Horn.

Neymar also scored in the 27th minute as Brazil took a 1-0 lead.

Max Meyer scored the equalizer for Germany in the 59th minute.

For Brazil, this was a landmark victory over a country that had inflicted a humiliating 7-1 defeat on it two years ago, in the semifinal of its own World Cup.

It’s the first Olympic victory for Brazilian footballers in a country obsessed with the game.

“This is one of the best things that have happened in my life,” the Barcelona forward said. “That’s it.”

Queiroz: First Brazilian to Win Three Medals in an Olympic Games

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Isaquias Queiroz ends his first Olympic appearance with a historic bang…

The 22-year-old Brazilian sprint canoeist partnered with Erlon de Souza to claim the silver in the Men’s Canoe Double 1000m competition with a time of a 3:44.81 at the 2016 Rio Games.

Germany’s Sebastian Brendel and Jan Vandrey, who trailed for most of the race, took the lead from Queiroz and de Souza in the final seconds to win the gold with a time of 3:43.91.

With the roar of the crowd behind them, the Brazilian duo set sail and led for most of the race. A tight field trailed Queiroz and de Souza for most of the race, but in the end it was Germany who prevailed.

Queiroz, who already won silver and bronze at the 2016 Summer Olympics, added one more piece of hardware to his collection. He has now become the first Brazilian to win three medals in an Olympic Games.

Queiroz overcame a hard-fought childhood which included close brushes with death and a kidnapping attempt, and has become a fan favorite in his home country.

Taurasi & Team USA Win Gold in Women’s Basketball at the 2016 Rio Games

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Diana Taurasi is still golden…

The 34-year-old half-Argentinean American basketball player and Team USA defeated Spain in the gold medal game Saturday, 101-72, to give the US its sixth consecutive Olympic gold.

Taurasi, who led the way with a team-high 17 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals, is now a four-time Olympic gold medalist.

The United States is now a perfect 5-0 against Spain in Olympic play.

This was the first Olympic gold medal for Taurasi’s Phoenix Mercury teammate, Brittney Griner. The reigning WNBA MVP, Elena Delle Donne, also won her first Olympic gold.

The other Team USA star veterans Sue Bird, who sat out with a sprain knee in the semifinal win over France, and Tamika Catchings added another gold medal to their career — matching Taurasi with a fourth in Rio.

This could be the final Olympic appearance for the three WNBA icons.

With the loss, Spain finished with the silver. Serbia won bronze after defeating France earlier Saturday. This marked the first time on the podium for the countries in women’s basketball.

The U.S. women’s basketball Olympic play win streak was improved to an unmatched 49 games.

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Tag Archives: 2016 Rio Games

Anthony Leads Team USA to Third Straight Olympic Gold in Men’s Basketball

Santos & His Brazilian Teammates Claim Gold in Men’s Volleyball at the 2016 Rio Games

Coloma Claims Bronze in Men’s Cross Country at the 2016 Rio Games

Mohedano & Her Teammates Give Spain Its First Rhythmic Gymnastics Medal in 20 Years

Gasol & His Teammates Give Spain a Men’s Basketball Bronze at the 2016 Rio Games

Sanchez Claims Silver in Men’s Individual 10m Platform Final at the 2016 Rio Games

Lopez Claims Boxing Gold at the 2016 Rio Games

Neymar Leads Brazil’s Soccer Team to Its First Olympic Gold Medal

Queiroz: First Brazilian to Win Three Medals in an Olympic Games

Taurasi & Team USA Win Gold in Women’s Basketball at the 2016 Rio Games