China secures top spot in Universiade medals table
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Xinhua, August 23, 2011
Diving powerhouse China grabbed four gold medals in a row on Monday to secure top spot in the World University Games' medals table.
With just five gold medals up for grab on Tuesday, China leads the overall medal count with 145, including 75 golds, well ahead of nearest rival Russia (42-44-45). South Korea is third with 27-20-30.
Russia's Evgeniya Kanaeva was the star of the penultimate day collecting three individual rhythmic gymnastic golds in hoop, clubs and ball.
Daria Dmitrieva won the ribbon event to prevent teammate Kanaeva from repeating her 2009 Universiade sweep of every title in the rhythmic gymnastics individual apparatus finals.
"I am not satisfied with my perfomance. I made a mistake with the ribbon, so I didn't win a gold medal. It's sad that I didn't win all of the individual gold medals," said the 21-year-old Kanaeva.
Earlier, Chinese Olympic champions Huo Liang and Lin Yue posted two perfect 10s on their way to victory in the men's 10m platform synchro event, and teammates He Zi and Wang Han dominated the women's 3m springboard synchro final, leading from the first dive and widening their margin as the event progressed.
In water polo, China's women's team, featuring 10 senior internationals fresh from the July FINA world championships in Shanghai, crushed the United States 14-4 to retain the Universiade title.
"We were the champions in the last Universide and this is what we expected," said Ma Huanhuan, China's leading scorer.
But China missed its only chance at a gold medal in badminton when Wen Kai succumbed to Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon in the men's singles final.
Despite the backing of the roaring home crowd, Wen failed to overcome Avihingsanon's powerful play and was defeated in 21-18, 21-16.
Avihingsanon's teammates, Maneepong Jongjit and Bodin Isara, completed Thailand's sweep of the men's golds when they crushed world No. 11 Fang Chiehmin and Lee Shengmu of Chinese Taipei 21-10, 21-16 in the men's doubles final.
Japan clinched their fifth Universiade title in men's soccer after beating Britain 2-0 in the final. The Japanese were crowned champions in 1995, 2001, 2003 and 2005.
Russia charged to a comfortable 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 25-14) victory against Ukraine to win their second consecutive Universiade gold in men's volleyball.
The men's basketball gold went to defending champions Serbia after they beat Canada 68-55.
The University Games concludes Tuesday with a clutch of taekwondo golds at stake, plus Serbia against Russia in the men's water polo final.
A closing ceremony will wrap up the 11-day event which has seen some 7,000 student athletes compete in 24 sports.
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