After heavy winds, a volunteer cleans the Olympic rings at the ski jumping venue. | REUTERS

Olympics / Winter Olympics

Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics Day 4: Japan breaks into the medal rankings

Japan’s search for gold in Pyeongchang was stymied Monday night after its best shot so far, Miho Takagi, took silver in the women’s 1,500-meter speedskating event. She was foiled by the Netherlands’ Ireen Wust, who earlier bested Takagi in the 3,000m and with last night’s victory became the most medaled speed skater of all time.

Despite hopes of a first-place finish, Daichi Hara took the bronze medal in men’s freestyle skiing, bringing Japan its first ever medal in the event.

Japan found bronze again on the ladies’ normal hill jump as decorated skier Sara Takahashi overcame jitters that led to a disappointing fourth place in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Ireen Wust shocks Miho Takagi to take women’s 1,500

Heavy favorite Miho Takagi was beaten to the gold medal by Ireen Wust in the women’s 1,500 meters speedskating at the Pyeongchang Olympics on Monday. Wust, of the Netherlands, reclaimed the gold she first won in the distance at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

Silver medallist Miho Takagi of Japan holds the national flag after the women’s 1,500 meters speedskating race in Gangneung on Monday evening. | AP

Four years later, Sara Takanashi lands Olympic medal

Sara Takanashi exorcised the ghost of Sochi with a bronze medal in the normal hill jump at Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre on Monday night. The 21-year-old native of Kamikawa, Hokkaido, uncorked a big first leap of 103.5 meters for a score of 120.3 points.

Bronze medalist Sara Takanashi celebrates on the podium alongside gold medalist Maren Lundby during the victory ceremony. | REUTERS

Freestyle skier Daichi Hara wins Japan’s first medal of Pyeongchang Olympics

After qualifying in top spot for the third and last final of the night, the 20-year-old Hara appeared as if he might take the honor of being Japan’s first gold medalist of the games, but came up short as Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury and Australian Matt Graham grabbed gold and silver, respectively.

Daichi Hara competes in the men’s freestyle skiing competition at the Pyeongchang Olympics on Monday. Hara won the bronze medal. | REUTERS

Jamie Anderson makes Olympic history with successful defense of slopestyle crown

Jamie Anderson of the United States defended her Olympic snowboarding title in convincing fashion, winning the women’s slopestyle event at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics on Monday.