Day 3: Stuck Like a Toothpick in a Club Sandwich

 WOW what a fun day at the games! The Men's Gymnastic team final led the way bringing the heat and the bro attitudes. The girls give the nice half-hugs and occasional high fives, but the dudes go full fist pump and mosh pit after every performance. It was a sight to behold today, and major ramifications for our teams, as China, Japan, and unexpectedly, the US, battled out to get on the medal stand. Macronian Cheese's Daiki Hasimoto continued some of his unexpected struggles falling off the pommel horse, but once some of the Chinese gymnasts turned in less than perfect performances, it opened the door. He closed it by finally delivering on the high bar and sealing the Gold for team Japan. China were strong favorites, and still secured the silver, making a solid pickup for Hunchback (Zou Jingyuan) and Athletic Avengers (Liu Yang).

But of course the US team is what we were all watching, and it all came down to Rivers Cuomo, ready to take the stage on his island in the sun. 

The US was not expected to be in this position, and all the pressure was on him, but he said "I don't care what they say about us anyway." He had to wait through every event to deliver a performance on his only event - the pommel horse. Of course, that's where he wants to be, livin' in the pressure filled moments. Despite the pressure, he did not come undone, he delivered, and the US secured the Bronze medal and the first spot on the podium since 2008.

Say it ain't so? Nope - it is! Synchronized Race Walkers celebrate big, with their double-first-named dude Fred Richard sticking the solid landings for the team all night. This three points felt so much bigger.

Diving featured the 10m platform springboard finals - China were nearly flawless with Yang Hao and Lian Junjie securing 10 points for Golden Beret and Eiffel Power. Noah Williams paired up with old man Tom Daley and splashed in for silver for Hunchback of the Swimming Lane.  Cassiel Rousseau (AUS) was ice cold for Don't Ledecky Us Get Hot, finishing 6th.

Men's Archery team finals met the expected mark with S. Korea winning the team gold - hitting the bullseye for Macronian Cheese, Seine Superstars, and Team de Triomphe. The S. Korean archers are treated like NBA basketball stars back home - earning huge wages and having fantastic facilities and technology to help them devote their time to honing their craft. It clearly pays off with double team golds.  Turkey secured the bronze behind their leader, Mete Gazoz, and Athletic Avengers bag the 3 points.

Judo was slammin' again:

• Japan women BRONZE - Synchronized Race Walkers
• France women BRONZE - Hunchback of the Swimming Lane
• Japan men BRONZE - Golden Beret
• France men SILVER - Don't Ledecky Us Get Hot

Canoeing featured the men's Slalom with France (Macronian Cheese) getting the Gold and Great Britain (Athletic Avengers) squeaking out the silver by 0.2 seconds over 3rd.

Fencing continues to feature plenty of unexpected results, with none of our competitiors making it to the medal rounds today.

Swimming rounds us out on the points for the day:

• Summer McIntosh of Canada drank her maple syrup today and dominated the 400IM, securing gold for the Golden Berets.
• David Popovici (Romania) popped everyone's hopes at the last moment to win the 200m free final and gets the Gold for Eiffel Power.
• Ryan Murphy hung on just long enough to still earn the bronze in the backstroke for Eiffel Power
• And the final big event - the Kangaroo showdown led to teammates Mollie O'Callaghan (Hunchback) and Ariare Titmus (Macronian Cheese) in lanes next to each other in the 200m freestyle final. Good golly Miss Mollie turned on the afterburners and put it away in the last 50m to get the gold.  Titmus earned the silver.

For those at the bottom of the standings - don't lose heart. There's so much to come including all the premier team events.  Points will pile in quickly!