On Day 5 of Olympic competition, an American gymnast attempts to thwart a Japanese rival's quest for history, while another U.S. men's swimming star joins Baltimore's Michael Phelps in the pool. Also, dominant U.S. basketball and beach volleyball teams compete.
Here are four of the biggest Things to Watch during the Summer Games Wednesday.
1) Japanese Gymnast Makes History, Wins Back-to-Back Titles
Japan's Kohei Uchimura became the first male gymnast to win consecutive Olympic all-around titles since fellow countryman Sawao Kato did it at the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Olympics.
Uchimura led Japan to gold in the team competition Monday, competing in all six events. And on Wednesday, he gave the performance of his life on the high bar to just barely beat Oleg Verniaiev, defending his Olympic all-around gymnastics title by a tenth of a point.
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American Sam Mikulak had said he wanted to be the one to dethrone Uchimura. While it didn't happen, Mikulak and fellow American Chris Brooks finished well off the podium. Mikulak, who finished fifth on the vault in 2012, came in seventh in Rio. Brooks was 14th.
How to Watch: Watch the full replay on your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.
2) Phelps, Lochte Qualify for 200M IM Final
Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte qualified 1-2 for the final of the 200-meter individual medley Wednesday night, setting up a showdown for the gold medal.
In their heats Wednesday afternoon, Lochte, the current world record holder in the event, had the better time, 1:57.38 to Phelps' 1:58.41. But Phelps edged Lochte in the semifinal.
Now Phelps is aiming for his fourth straight gold in the event. Lochte has two silvers and a bronze since they both first swam the event in 2004 in Athens, along with four world championships.
How to Watch: Catch a replay of the men's 200m individual medley semifinals on your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.
3) Walsh Jennings and Ross Best Switzerland on the Beach
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings formed a new partnership with London silver medalist April Ross just moments after defeating her in the 2012 Games. Now, the former combatants are eyeing gold in Rio.
After sweeping their first two matches against Australia and China, the dynamic duo bested Switzerland's Isabelle Forrer and Anouk Vergé-Dépré on Wednesday night.
Walsh Jennings previously teamed with Misty May-Treanor in three Olympic Games. She is undefeated in Olympic competition.
How to Watch: Catch the replay of Walsh Jennings and Ross' game on your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.
4) Dominant U.S. Men's & Women's Basketball Teams Continue Quest for Gold
The U.S. men's and women's basketball teams have been crushing their competition at this Olympics, and both celebrated a victory Wednesday.
First, the powerhouse U.S. women's team won against Serbia after two previous dominating wins. While the U.S. had easily routed Senegal and Spain in its first two games, winning by an average of 52.5 points, they had a harder time against the hot-shooting Balkan nation -- but still came out 110-84.
Diana Taurasi had a career game, scoring 22 of her Olympic-best 25 points in the first half. She scored five 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes, equaling her Olympic team record. She broke the mark early in the third quarter and finished the game with six 3's to set a new U.S. Olympic mark.
How to Watch: Watch the women's game replay on your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.
Meanwhile, the U.S. men beat Australia 98-88 Wednesday -- perhaps their toughest opponent of the Olympics so far -- during their third game in Rio.
The men won their first two games by a combined 101 points, but Wednesday, they never got a comfortable lead, and for a while couldn't get one at all. The Australians, with big bodies inside, quality point guards to counter the American pressure and a wealth of NBA championship experience, stood toe to toe with the team that had blown them out of the last two Olympics in the quarterfinals.
But Carmelo Anthony, the most experienced U.S. player and the first male to play in four Olympics, steadied the Americans in the first competitive game most of this new team had ever experienced.
Anthony scored 31 points on the night he became the U.S. men's Olympic career scoring leader, combining with Kyrie Irving for all the Americans' baskets in the fourth quarter of their victory over Australia.
How to Watch: Catch a replay of the U.S. men's team versus Australia on your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.
