woman won gold in the skeet, which was open to both men and women. She thus became the first woman to win a mixed shooting event at the Olympics. However, Zhang was controversially unable to defend her title, as the skeet was open only to men in 1996 (the womens event was introduced in 2000). ' ' '

Italys success against South Africa was, of course, one of the most important wins in its rugby history. The Springboks are ranked fourth in the world and had never been beaten by their hosts before.But victory in Florence was also a triumph for all Italians, during a difficult time for the country.Lets start with the first, essential, news -- the team won the rugby game. It may sound na?ve but it is key. In the recent past, Italy have beaten both France and Ireland for the first time, and went close in other big games too.They almost beat Australia in Florence in 2012, losing by just three points. Italy have twice finished within a converted try of England -- in a freezing Rome in 2010 and then at Twickenham three years later -- and lost 20-6 to New Zealand in front of a record crowd at San Siro.So, they got close. They almost did it, yet they were beaten. Close, but no cigar.On Saturday in Florence they got a huge win and that will make a heck of a difference. A terrific performance was built on their play at the breakdown -- Italy were close to perfect at rucks -- on a top-class defence and on their ability to keep the scoreboard moving when they had the chance.They won the game by dominating the fundamentals of the game. How many times could you say that? Never. Even during those celebrated wins against France and Ireland they were not as competent in the basics.Defensive consultant Brendan Venters influence has been displayed in the blitz-oriented defensive approach adopted on Saturday. It was that system that exposed the essence of Simone Favaro in his entire beauty, and made the difference. But mainly Italy won on aggression and intensity.I have never seen an Italian rugby side playing with such a hunger. I have watched the game again and again and it is impossible to ignore the way that every single aspect of the game, from personal battles to more broader line movements, has been turned into a physical battle by Conor OShea and his staff.Against a Springboks side that in their previous outings showed a total lack of its once devastating tactical kicking game, winning every clash was crucial. And thats where Italy won the game.To ensure possession -- not always necessarily of a high quality -- OShea gave solutions to Italys recent lineout problems with variations. And those variations in jump, throw and time did the job.Then there was the coldness of the Italian kickers. Carlo Canna with those huge try conversions and Edoardo Padovani with that halfway-line penalty that kept the Springboks in reach. Again, Italy got the fundamentals absolutely right.A few words should also be said on Sergio Parisses new role. Every media outlet highlighted the huge performance by the Italy captain but he was not centerstage as he used to be. And that was another key factor in the overall production of his teammates. He played a solid game, he was inspirational as he always is for the team, yet he played like an international No. 8.Parisse did not overcook plays, he wasnt asked to do extra work as he was made to in the past and from the stands the feeling was that he didnt feel obliged to take responsibility in every aspect of the game. OShea made his contribution a crucial part of a team performance. It happened, with less evidence, in that second win over France but for the first time Italy fans saw a sort of Stade Francais-version of Sergio Parisse.And is not a coincidence that we could admire the rise of Padovani, Canna and Giorgio Bronzini, just to name a few, and the return of Tommaso Benvenuti to his highest standards. That is another interesting aspect of the OShea era -- selection policy was finally at its best.We all know that it wasnt by far the best South Africa side ever to run onto a rugby pitch but that was the best XV Coetzee could pick from his tour squad. Italy were given a chance to make history and they took it, capitalising on that one and only opportunity.Details? Not at all. It was the sign of a different mentality. A huge rise in confidence that OSheas system has brought into a revitalised squad.The historic victory put rugby back on the mainstream media radar, reigniting a flame across the country that seemed to be slowly dying. The Azzurri were back on the national newspapers front page and got a lot of attention from national TV. The entire country celebrated this victory.Now Italy have an immediate maturity test. They must perform against Tonga and record a comfortable win.On Saturday in Padua, the Azzurri will not win with the same recipe the they used to beat the Springboks, though. Patience and composure will be vital. Only methodically absorbing the Islanders aggression at the breakdown and winning from that a probable high number of penalties will guarantee the win. They may well end up doing what top tier rugby nations usually do against Italy: stretch the score in the final quarter of the game.It wont be easy for a team that in the past has never shown the ability to control a rugby match. But after that historical result in Florence there is a chance for Italian fans to celebrate their best ever autumn international campaign.Dodgers Jerseys China . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. Cheap Custom Dodgers Jersey .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. http://www.customdodgersjersey.com/ . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. Custom Babe Herman Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Custom Dodgers Jersey China . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat.THE 15 EVENTSMen (9 events)Pistol class (3 events): Air pistol (10m), Rapid-fire pistol (25m), Pistol (50m)Rifle class (3 events): Air rifle (10m), Rifle prone (50m), Rifle three positions (50m)Shotgun class (3 events): Trap, Double trap, SkeetWomen (6 events)Pistol class (2 events): Air pistol (10m), Pistol (25m)Rifle class (2 events): Air rifle (10m), Rifle three positions (50m)Shotgun class (2 events): Trap, SkeetTHE FORMATFor each event there are qualifying rounds, with 6 or 8 competitors advancing to the final, depending on the weapon. There are 2 different formats for the final.The first format involves 2 phases. After a determined number of shots, there is an elimination phase, in which competitors are eliminated until the awarding of the gold medal.The second format is also in 2 phases. After a semi-final round, the competitors with the best 2 scores advance to the gold medal final, while the competitors with the 3rd and 4th best scores advance to the bronze medal final.MILESTONES1410Founding of the first company of arquebusiers.1710Target shooting gains popularity in the United States.1814Introduction of live pigeon shooting in England.1858American Samuel Colt develops the revolving cylinder system for the pistol. In Switzerland, the first shooting clubs appear and the first rules are drawn up.1880Introduction of clay pigeon shooting in England.1888The Clair brothers of France submit a patent for the first automatic pistol.1896Shooting makes its Olympic debut. It will only be absent from the programme twice: in Stt.dddddddddddd Louis (1904) and Amsterdam (1928).1968Women are allowed to compete in Olympic shooting events for the first time. There are no separate womens events, so they participate in certain mens events.1984The first women-only events are added to the Olympic programme.STARSOscar Swahn (Sweden)The great veteran. In 1912, he became the oldest Olympic gold medallist by winning the team running deer event, aged 64 years and 258 days. The record stands to this day. He also took silver in the event in 1920, aged 72 years and 280 days, which means he is also the oldest Olympic medallist. He and son Alfred won 3 gold medals apiece at the 1908 and 1912 Games, all in running deer.Karoly Takacs (Hungary)A world-class pistol shooter, the Hungarian was involved in a terrible accident in 1938, when a faulty grenade exploded in his right hand (and shooting hand). Undeterred, Takacs switched to shooting with his left hand, and won team world championship gold in 1939. He went on to take Olympic gold in rapid-fire pistol in 1948 and 1952.Zhang Shan (China)A true champion. At the 1992 Games in Barcelona, the Chinese woman won gold in the skeet, which was open to both men and women. She thus became the first woman to win a mixed shooting event at the Olympics. However, Zhang was controversially unable to defend her title, as the skeet was open only to men in 1996 (the womens event was introduced in 2000). ' ' '