China surges ahead after hectic hour at Olympics

Momentum shifted to the cycling velodrome where Zhong Tianshi and Bao Shanju outraced the German duo of Lea Friedrich and Emma Hinze in the final to defend China's title in the women's team sprint, with a time of 31.895 seconds.

Earlier in the day, the pair further trimmed China's world record in the event with a time of 31.804 in their first round victory over Lithuania.

"It feels so rewarding and exciting to be able to pull this off after I suffered a lot of injuries and setbacks in the years since my last win in Rio," said an ecstatic Zhong, who won China's first track cycling gold in the event with former partner Gong Jinjie in 2016.

China scored a double in the women's weightlifting when Wang Zhouyu won the women's 87-kilogram division followed by Li Wenwen in the evening session who won the+87 kg category.

Gymnast Liu Yang led a China one-two in the men's gymnastics rings event when he outperformed compatriot You Hao. It was the first time team China had come first and second in the event since the Beijing Olympics.

In a high-profile badminton men's singles final, China's 2016 Olympic champion Chen Long was beaten by Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, 21-15, 21-12.

With the women's volleyball team suffering early elimination, the women's basketball team has generated excitement among fans after beating Belgium 74-62 and advancing to the quarterfinals on Wednesday.