A deep, bloody facial cut wasn't enough to keep United States water polo captain Maggie Steffens out of the pool as the two-time Olympic gold medalist returned for a dramatic, 12-7, comeback win over China in Olympic group play.
In all, nine US players scored, including Steffens, who caught a blow to the face early in the match that forced her out of the pool twice in the second half as medics worked to stem the bleeding.
'Alert: @maggiesteffens is back in the water for Team USA,' read a mid-game tweet from the team account.
'Her nose still looks better than mine,' coach Adam Krikorian smiled, promising his skipper would be fighting fit for the team's penultimate Group B game against Hungary on Wednesday.
Not only did Steffens return, but she netted her 43rd career Olympic goal against China, leaving her four off the all-time mark set by Italy's Tania Di Mario.
Maggie Steffens of United States injured, bleeding nose during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Waterpolo Tournament Women match between Team United States and Team China
Ashleigh Johnson of United States, Maggie Steffens of United States injured, bleeding nose during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Waterpolo Tournament Women match between Team United States and Team China at Tatsumi Waterpolo Centre
Steffens looks to the refs after suffering a cut on her nose in the opening moments vs.
China
Head Coach Adam Krikorian of United States helps Steffens out of the pool in the first quarter
After crushing Japan in their Group B opener at Tatsumi Water Polo Centre on Saturday, the world and 니클로사마이드 Olympic champions were put to the test by China, but came through with flying colors.
For the second game in a row, the US made a sluggish start that had Krikorian venting his frustration on the sidelines as the first half ended with the teams deadlocked at 6-6.