The Rio 2016 Olympic Games looks to be the toughest tournament for athletes yet.
Just how tough is it?
Well, Belgian judoka Dirk Van Tichelt beat off some of the most vicious athletes in the world to win bronze on Monday. And then get knocked on his backside by a lone robber on the Copacabana Beach that same night.
Thankfully, Van Tichelt kept hold of his medal. Although some dude in Rio is probably crank calling all of his friends in Belgium as we speak with the Olympian’s cell phone.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Christopher George makes his bow this morning in the 100kg judo division and he will have to keep his wits about him too.
George, a chartered engineer and QRC old boy, is in his seventh year as a judo fighter. His opponent tomorrow, Myanmar’s Naing Soe Yan, has been a judoka for the last 17 years in a country renowned for human rights abuses, civil wars and military juntas.
Don’t let him think you’re soft, Georgie! Tell him about to catching a maxi at City Gate around 3:30pm on a weekday!
Of course, the real action so far has been poolside where iconic United States swimmer Michael Phelps was recently outed as Luke Skywalker’s father after his death glare at South African rival Chad le Clos.
Enter T&T’s George Bovell III whose Twitter fingers caused all kinds of havoc earlier this week, when his social media blast at an unidentified swimmer was mistakenly taken as a smackdown of controversial gymnast Marisa Dick.
Turns out Bovell has nothing against Dick. Well, not publicly anyway. Look, behave!
As I was saying, Trinidad and Tobago’s most famous “wetman”—our 2004 Olympic bronze medalist—is about to make some waves poolside in the 50metre freestyle, so find a television set at just after noon today.
Bovell is our second swimmer to compete at the Rio Games, after 20 year old Dylan Carter set a national record in the 100metre freestyle on Tuesday but just missed out on a spot in the semifinals.
Mr Live Wire has a feeling that young Dylan won’t be singing the blues for too long, though. The future of swimming is in safe hands.
Felice Chow, Trinidad and Tobago’s first Olympic rower, also missed a chance to compete for a medal in the women’s single sculls quarterfinal and will bring her Olympic adventure to a close in the semifinal c/d on Friday. It will Chow’s fourth race in Rio. And she has surely enjoyed every second of it.
And speaking of not being able to get enough of a good thing. Andrew Lewis is still sailing. The Laser blazer completed his fifth race yesterday and has bettered his placing ever so slightly to move from 41st to 40th in the pack that started with 49 competitors but now has just 44.
Hang in there, Andy. Mr Live Wire is in it for the long haul too.
Phelps has two more days of competition incidentally, as he tries to add to his unprecedented tally of 21 gold medals in the men’s 100 metre butterfly event.
Conquer the galaxy he must.
Tags Andrew Lewis Chad le Clos Christopher George Dirk Van Tichelt Dylan Carter Felice Chow George Bovell judo Live Wire Michael Phelps Naing Soe Yan Raucous in Rio
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” Yuh morr cor like you”, is what Phelpsie seem to be saying. ?
Looks like a spoilt child who has just been told to clean his room
lol
Was really great to see all those African and Caribbean represent in the 50 free! I so wish George had made it to the next round. It was heartbreaking to see his disappointment in his interview. I seriously wonder how people like Phelps and Locte still winning medals at their age. Hmm George must be wondering too?
Not enough to advance sadly. ?
It’s more about technique, Lasana. George claims the other guys are cheating. Well, maybe so, but George has not improved on his technique. He knows that and should be honest with himself.
Great swim by Georgie!
So strange seeing a black body in swimming! And he won?
Coming up… George Bovell!
A nice pick up to start the day?. Those pics of Michael Phelps priceless!
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The best commentary ever……love it!
You were on a roll I see.
Excellent snap of Andrew Lewis, Sean-miguel Morrison. Loved it. 😉