Team USA’s favorite gymnasts returned to the Olympic gym once again Sunday after winning over the hearts of the world (and the judges) with their gold-medal performances last week.
And the gymnasts weren't the only ones looking to jump and flip their way to victory, with local stars in wrestling and equestrian events beginning their quests for medals as well.
Here are five things to watch for Sunday:
1. Simone Biles Wins Her Third Gold Medal, Madison Kocian Takes Silver
After cruising to victory in the all-around women’s event on Thursday, Simone Biles added to her gold medal collection by taking first in the individual vault championship.
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Biles scored a 15.966 to win her third gold medal of the Rio Games. Russia's Maria Paseka was second with 15.253 and Switzerland's Giulia Steingruber took bronze with a score of 15.216.
In the women's uneven bars final event, Gabby Douglas and Madison Kocian represented Team USA. Kocian finished the event with a score of 15.833 to take silver, just below Russia's Aliya Mustafina's gold medal-winning 15.900 performance. Douglas finished in 7th place with a 15.066 score.
2. Wisconsin Wrestler Fights for Chance at First Olympic Medal
Jesse Thielke has already made his mark in history, becoming one of only 10 wrestlers in Wisconsin state history to win four state championship titles. On Sunday, he took his history-making moves to an entirely new level.
Thielke competed in the men’s Greco-Roman 59kg event Sunday where he defeated Morocco's El Mahadi Messaoudi 8-0 in the 1/8 finals, only to fall to Azerbaijan's Rovshan Bayramov 9-0 in the quarterfinals, eliminating him from medal contention.
Cuba's Ismael Borrero Molina eventually took the gold.
3. Local Riders Hope to Jump for Gold
Show jumpers Kent Farrington, of Chicago, and Elizabeth “Beezie” Madden, of Wisconsin, both competed in Sunday’s qualifying equestrian events.
In addition to riding carriage horses in downtown Chicago, Farrington has won the gold medal in the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games.
Madden, who began riding horses at 3 years old, has competed in the Olympics since 2004, winning a gold medal in that year as well as in 2008 for her jumping. She holds the record for being the first women to exceed earning $1 million in show jumping.
By the end of the event, Farrington was tied for first place with 24 others, and Madden was tied for 27th place with 23 others in a field of 75 horse-and-rider combinations. Both will compete in the second of three qualifying rounds on Tuesday at 8 a.m.
4. U.S. Basketball Keeps it Perfect
The U.S. men’s and women’s basketball teams returned to action on Sunday.
The women, who have won all their games easily, took on China. The Americans routed the Chinese 105-62, cruising into the quarterfinals and staying undefeated and unchallenged.
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On the men’s side, the team was coming off a close, three-point escape against Serbia after struggling to beat Australia.
On Sunday, Carmelo Anthony, Kyrie Irving and the rest of the squad faced France, led by NBA stars Tony Parker and Boris Diaw.
It was perhaps their toughest test yet, but Klay Thompson ended an Olympic-long slump with seven 3-pointers and 30 points and Team USA won a slim victory over the French, 100-97.
5. Usain Bolt is Still the World's Fastest Man
Usain Bolt was looking to prove he’s still the fastest man on the planet as he competed in the men’s 100m final, and he did so in resounding fashion.
Bolt won an unprecendented third straight gold in the event, clocking a 9.81 time to defend his title.
He handily won his semifinal with a time of 9.86, and defeated USA's Justin Gatlin's 9.89 time. Gatlin took silver in the event.
Bolt’s mother Jennifer visited her son in the Olympic village Friday and said he’s ready to defend his title. She said he told her, “Mom, if I wasn’t ready, I wouldn’t be here because I’m not into the losing thing. I’m ready.’’
