Tokyo 2020 Olympics Daily Review – 27 July 2021

Tuesday was a mixed day for South Africans, as there was both delight and heartbreak under unexpected circumstances.

Many South Africans would have expected the Blitzboks to come home with a medal, but they were beaten 19-14 in the quarter-finals by an Argentina side which played most of the game with six men and the dying seconds with five.

Not the best performance, but well played @unionargentina

Update here https://t.co/UEb11luEUd pic.twitter.com/M0SPGbrInN

— Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) July 27, 2021

However, Tatjana Schoenmaker gave the country reason to smile as she picked up a silver medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke.

Bianca Buitendag was the surprise package for Team SA. Few would have expected South Africa to come home with a surfing medal after Jordy Smith’s withdrawal from the Games due to injury, but Buitendag won silver.

On the football front, Zambia were carrying the flag for Africa in the women’s tournament, but their run has come to an end despite a valiant performance in a 1-0 defeat to Brazil.

#Tokyo2020 women's football quarter-finals:

?? Great Britain vs Australia ??
?? Sweden vs Japan ??
?? Netherlands vs USWNT ??
?? Canada vs Brazil ??

— Ameé Ruszkai (@ameeruszkai) July 27, 2021

Wednesday promises more excitement, although the mood around Mzansi may be slightly bleaker than it would have been if the Blitzboks were still at the party.