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Tölzer takes bronze

August 3, 2012

Andreas Tölzer of Germany won bronze in judo Friday. Tennis stars edged towards gold while China won gold in trampolining in other Olympic action throughout the day.

https://p.dw.com/p/15jko
German judoka Andreas Toelzer reacts during his fight against Simionescu of Romania during the Men's +100kg Elimination Round of 16 in the judo competition in ExCeL at the London 2012 Olympic Games, London, Great Britain, 03 August 2012. Photo: Friso Gentsch dpa +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

German judoka Andreas Tölzer defeated Ihar Makarau of Belarus to claim bronze in the men's +100-kilogram class Friday. It was the first Olympic medal for the 32-year-old. The victory comes off the back of consecutive silver medals at the World Judo Championships in 2010 and 2011.

Russian Alexander Mikhaylin beat Tölzer in the semifinal, and went on to claim silver in the final after losing to Teddy Riner of France.

Tennis players move towards final

Tennis players Sabine Lisicki and Christopher Kas of Germany bested the Italian duo of Roberta Vinci and Daniele Bracciali to move into the semifinals of the mixed doubles competition.

In the women's individual competition, Maria Sharapova powered her way into the final by defeating fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko. It is the first Olympics for the former world number one, and she will have to beat either Serena Williams or Victoria Azarenka to claim gold.

"It's incredible, not only to be part of this event and be an Olympian, but to put yourself in with an opportunity to go for gold," said Sharapova. "It's a really nice feeling."

Roger Federer of Switzerland outplayed Argentine Juan Martin del Potro to advance to the final of the men's individual tournament. It took Federer and del Porto 163 minutes to decide the winner.

Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates after winning his men's singles tennis semi-final match against Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro at the All England Lawn Tennis Club during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 3, 2012.
Federer won his seventh Wimbledon title last monthImage: Reuters

"I don't think I've ever played as long a set in a best of three match," said Federer. "The whole match was nearly four-and-a-half hours, so it was very physical at the end and so mental.

The 30-year-old made a return to the Wimbledon court just one month after winning the British tournament. Federer, ranked first in the world, won doubles gold in Beijing, and will face either Andy Murray of Great Britain or Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the final.

Bouncing to gold

Chinese gymnast Dong Dong won gold in the men's individual trampoline. It was the second Olympic medal for the 23-year-old. He captured bronze in the competition at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

"I was just getting a little bit emotional because this could be the last Olympics I'm in because of the injury," he said. Dong has been dealing with an injury that could keep him out of future Olympics.

Dong Dong of China competes on the Men's Trampoline during Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 3, 2012 in London, England.
Friday's gold earned Dong his second career Olympic medalImage: Getty Images

Joining Dong on the podium were Dmitry Ushakov of Russia and Lu Chunlong of China with silver and bronze respectively.

Vogel out

German cyclist Kristina Vogel, who won gold with teammate Miriam Welte Thursday night in the women's team sprint, did not qualify for the final of the women's keirin.

The 21-year-old finished last in her second round heat at the London Velopark. Victoria Pendleton of Great Britain finished first in qualifying, and went on to win gold in the final.

dr/ng (AFP, dpa, Reuters)