USA tops Tokyo 2020's overall medal tally

A spectacular breakthrough on the last day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games helped the US bag three last gold medals to surpass China and finish at the top of the medal tally.

Players of Team United States react after defeating Team Brazil during the Women's Volleyball Gold Medal Match on day sixteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on August 8, 2021. (Photo: Getty Images)
Players of Team United States react after defeating Team Brazil during the Women's Volleyball Gold Medal Match on day sixteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on August 8, 2021. (Photo: Getty Images)

With a total of 113 medals of all kinds, including 39 gold, 41 silver and 33 bronze medals, Team USA take the top position at the Games for the third time in a row.

China led the medal table for several days prior to the final day of competition on August 8, but the US closed the gap in the end.

Three more important gold medals in women's volleyball, women's basketball and cycling gave the Americans the top prize.

Notably, the US women's volleyball team performed a miracle as they won the Olympic gold medal for the first time ever after defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final.

Meanwhile, the Chinese sports delegation had an unsatisfactory final day as they were unable to win any more gold medals, instead gaining the silver of Li Qian in the women's boxing middleweight 75kg.

China finished the Games in the second place, with 38 gold, 32 silver and 18 bronze medals.

Host Japan achieved impressive results in the 3rd place, with 27 gold, 14 silver medals and 17 bronze medals after 16 days of official competition.

The UK won 22 gold, 21 silver and 22 bronzes, ranking fourth, followed by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) with 20 golds, 28 silvers and 23 bronzes.

The remaining teams in the top ten are Australia (17 golds, 7 silvers, 22 bronzes), the Netherlands (10 golds, 12 silvers, 14 bronzes), Germany (10 golds, 11 silvers, 16 bronzes), Italy (10 golds, 10 silvers, 20 bronzes) and France (10 golds, 12 silvers, 11 bronzes).

A total of 93 delegations out of 206 participating countries/territories won medals at Tokyo 2020, with a total of 339 sets of medals awarded.

For Southeast Asian teams, four delegations won medals at the Games, with the Philippines taking the lead in No. 50 in the medal table (one gold, two silvers, one bronze), followed by Indonesia (No. 55, with one gold, one silver and one bronze), Thailand (No. 59, one gold, one bronze) and Malaysia (No. 74, one silver, one bronze).

Vietnam sent 18 athletes to compete in 16 events at the Games, however, they returned home empty-handed.