Sun Yang wins men＇s 200m freestyle

Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

The action on Day Three is still going on in Rio where China's men's basketball team are still on court against France in their second game of Group A. The Chinese were trailing 42-23 at half-time as they seek their first win of the tournament.

But the big highlight of China's day belongs to Sun Yang as the swimmer lined up for the final of the men's 200 meter freestyle with heavy expectations to captruee the first swimming gold of these Summer games for China.

Sun Yang of China celebrates after the men's 200m freestyle swimming final at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 8, 2016. Sun Yang won the gold medal with 1 minute 44.65 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Sun Yang of China celebrates after the men's 200m freestyle swimming final at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 8, 2016. Sun Yang won the gold medal with 1 minute 44.65 seconds.(Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Sun was disappointed to finish second in the 400 meter freestyle and was eager to make amends here in the 200. But the Chinese would get off to a slow start while South Africa's Chad le Clos moved ahead by nearly a body length. But Sun closed on the gap in the second 100 meters and was hot on Le Clos' heels as they reached the 150 meter mark.

Sun continued to pour it on after the last turn and managed to pull ahead in the final stretch. The 24-year-old would finally go in front and seal the victory in 1 minute 44.65 seconds. Sun clinched his third Olympic gold while Le Clos came second.

American Murphy breaks OR to take gold

In the men's 100 metres backstroke. China's Xu Jiayu would start in Lane two for the final. The 20-year-old would go on to finish in second place to win the silver medal  while American Ryan Murphy breaks the Olympic record with a time of 51.97 seconds to take the gold medal.

China's Fu ties for third place

On the women's side. China's Fu Yuanhui was looking to earn a place on the podium in the 100-meter backstroke. But it would be Hungary's Katinka Hosszu prevailing instead to claim her second gold of the Rio Games, edging out Kathleen Baker of the United States.

Fu and Canada's Kylie Masse tied for bronze. And Fu's compatriot Shi Jinglin would come fourth in the women's 100-meter breaststroke final later in the day.