London, England: The London 2012 Olympic Games looks to be following in the footsteps of Beijing 2008 as China and the United States battle it out for top spot in the medals table. In Beijing four years ago, China won 51 gold medals and 100 medals in total, while the United States took home 36 gold and 110 medals in total.

It was China’s aim this time to win most gold medals and also the highest number of total medals, and after five days they are off to a cracking start with 17 gold and 30 in total. The United States have won 12 gold and 29 in total after five days.

China added four more gold on Wednesday, August 1, through swimmer Jiao Liuyang (women's 200m butterfly), Li Xiaoxia (women’s table tennis singles), the men’s synchronised 3m springboard pair of Qin Kai and Luo Yutong and weightlifter Lu Xiaojun (men’s 77kg).

Lu beat his own world record total, set at the world championships three years ago, by 1kg with a total weight of 379kg, including a world record snatch lift of 175kg. Korea stands third in the medals table with six gold after winning three gold on Wednesday.

They came from judoka Song Dae-nam (men's -90kg), fencer Kim Ji-yeon (women's individual sabre) and shooter Kim Jang-mi (women’s 25m pistol). DPR Korea enjoyed another golden day to move fifth in the medals table with four gold medals, their latest coming from Rim Jong Sim (women's weightlifting 69kg, total lift 261kg).

Japan’s second gold of the Olympics was secured by gymnast Kohei Uchimura in the men’s individual all-around, improving on the silver he won as a member of Japan’s team, behind China, earlier in the event.
Singapore joined the medal rankings with a bronze for Feng Tianwei in table tennis women’s singles.