TOKYO: World champions the United States began their quest for a third straight gold medal in women’s water polo by storming into the record books with a 25-4 humbling of Japan at the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre.

But the US record for most goals scored in a single match at the Olympics stood just a few hours before being overhauled by reigning European champions Spain, who crushed South Africa 29-4 to lay down a marker of their own.

Teenager Elena Ruiz, making her Olympic debut at the age of 16, top scored for Spain with five goals, while nine more of her team mates were also on target.

Japan, who like South Africa are playing in their first Olympics, started brightly against the US and even drew level at 3-3, but were outpowered and outclassed once their opponents settled into the match.

Stephania Haralabidis also scored five, while Madeline Musselman and Aria Fischer chipped in with four apiece for the all-conquering Americans, who have dominated women’s water polo in the past few years.

Miku Koide scored twice for Japan, including her country’s first women’s water polo goal at the Olympics, with Yumi Arima and Eruna Ura also on target for the hosts.

But US goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson was in scintillating form, saving 15 of the 19 shots she faced and shutting out the Japanese offence completely in the second and fourth quarters as her team made a dream start in Group B.

Australia also started with a win, beating Canada 8-5 in Group A, with Bronte Halligan the pick of their players with three goals on her Olympic debut.

The Russian Olympic Committee team, who won bronze in Rio, were locked in a bruising battle with China in the last match, but held on to win 18-17, with Ekaterina Prok­ofyeva helping her team snatch win with two late goals.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2021