Tokyo Olympics Day 9: Who to watch today

Dame Valerie Adams contests her fifth Olympic final, New Zealand eventers third heading into cross-country and Rio sailing bronze medallist in medal race.

Here’s who to watch on day nine:

Golf

Ryan Fox is the first New Zealand athlete in action today and he’ll be seeking a strong finish to what has been a disappointing Olympic tournament.

Fox is tied for 55th in the 60 player field after three rounds, 16 shots behind the leader, American Xander Schauffele.

Schauffele is a shot clear of Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.

They will tee-off at 2:09pm, with Fox underway at 10:41am.

Athletics

Dame Valerie Adams will contest her fifth Olympic shot put final this afternoon, alongside Games debutant Maddison-Lee Wesche.

Dame Val won gold in 2008 and 2012, and silver in 2016, but she is not guaranteed a place on the Olympic podium in Tokyo.

Her personal best is close to a metre further than anyone else in the field but her best this year is only good enough for fourth equal of the 12 finalists.

Dame Val qualified sixth, with Wesche 11th.

The final will start at 1:35pm.

Julia Ratcliffe and Lauren Bruce will attempt to qualify for the women’s hammer throw final from 12:10pm.

Tonight Hamish Kerr will line-up in the men’s high jump final at 10:10pm.

Tim Price riding Vitali in the dressage in Tokyo.
Photo: Libby Law Photography/Photosport Ltd 2021

Equestrian

New Zealand eventers Jonelle Price, Jesse Campbell and Tim Price are in bronze medal position after the dressage.

Jonelle Price is the first to ride the cross-country course at 11:22am, with Campbell to follow at 12:30pm and Tim Price at 1:40pm.

Tim Price is the best placed individually in fifth.

Sailing

Rio bronze medallist Sam Meech is the first New Zealand sailor to contest an Olympic final in Tokyo.

Meech has qualified eighth for the Laser medal race at 5:30pm and will need to win and hope other results go his way to again stand on the podium.

New Zealanders are also in action today in qualifying for the Nacra 17, men’s 470 and Finn classes.

Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson are 12th in the Nacra 17 and have work to do in their final three qualifying races to make their medal race.

Paul Snow-Hansen and Dan Willcox are sitting third in the men’s 470 and Josh Junior is fifth in the Finn.

Weightlifting

Megan Signal was due to compete in the women’s 76kg division this afternoon but has withdrawn.