Rio Olympics has been a contrasting story for different countries. While countries like United States of America, Russia, China and Great Britain won massively, there were countries which looked for their first gold medal. Here is a list of those 5 countries, which won the gold medals for the first time.
It was a dream come true for Singapore’s Joseph Schooling when he clinched gold in the 100-meter butterfly event on August 12. This was also the first gold medal won by a Singapore athlete in the Olympics history. The medal is special to the 21-year old Schooling as he beat his swimming idol Michael Phelps to win it.
Schooling gave Singapore its first gold medal
Vietnam was searching for its first gold medal in Olympics history and a 41-year-old army colonel made this possible. Hoàng Xuân Vinh shot to glory when he scored a perfect score in the final of the 10m air pistol event. He went on to win silver medal in the 50m air pistol event as well.
A 41-year-old gave Vietnam its first gold medal
Fiji is a country comprising of 300 islands in the South Pacific. In Rio, they achieved what they had intended to achieve for the last so many years – an Olympic gold medal. It was the Fiji Rugby team who made this possible when they defeated Great Britain 43-7 to register the historic win.
Fiji’s rugby team handed them the first ever gold
Puerto Rico is a very small country and a commonwealth of United States. However, it takes part in the Olympics as a nation. Monica Puig made possible what many of his countrymen and women had dreamed of. She won the first gold medal for her country.
Monica Puig gifted its first gold medal to Puerto Rico
Cheick Sallah Cisse could not have asked for a better script to his Olympic gold medal victory. He was behind his opponent Lutalo Muhammad from Great Britain in the final of the 80kg taekwondo event. If it was not for the last second kick, Cisse would have to settle for a silver medal. Cisse’s historic victory also gifted Ivory Coast its first gold medal.
Cheick Sallah Cisse's moment in Olympics
