Russia reaps two golds to top athletics medal table
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-08-19 09:42

IZMIR, Turkey, August 18 (Xinhua) -- Russia reaped two track and field golds to top the athletics medal table at the 23rd World Universiade here on Thursday when Ukraine also truck twice in eight of the titles on offer, and South Africa won its very first gold.

Natalia Ivanova grabbed Russia's first gold of the night after crowning in the women's 200m in 23.28 seconds, and Olesya Syreva added the second after clocking in four minutes and 12.69 seconds to take the women's 1,500 meters race.

Ivanova's compatriot Elena Yakovleva had to settle for silver by 0.17 seconds behind, while Elodie Ouedraogo of Belgium placed third in 23.62 seconds in the 200 meters.

Chinese Liu Qing finished with her seasonal best of four minutes 12.76 seconds to collect the bronze of the women's 1,500m, and the silver went to Ukrainian Tetyana Holovchenko in four minutes and 12.73 seconds.

Despite failure to bring home the gold, Liu was satisfy with her performance tonight by saying, "I already entered the second round of the women's 800m to be held tomorrow, so I have to reserve some energy tonight. I tried my best, and I am happy to win the bronze for my delegation."

Ivan Heshko of Ukraine claimed the gold of the men's 1,500m race as he cruised home first in three minutes and 49.49 seconds in the grueling competition.

Andrew Baddely of Britain took the silver in three minutes and 50.90 points, while Vincent Rono of Kenya finished the third in three minutes and 51.48 seconds.

Ukrainian Volodymyr Zyuskov triumphed in the men's long jump with an effort of 8.06 meters, while Issam Nima of Algeria and Stefano Dacastello of Italy captured the silver and bronze in 8.02 and 7.95 respectively.

Ignatius Leigh Julius of South Africa stole the spotlight when he finished the line with his seasonal best of 20.56 seconds to win the title of the men's 200m, contributing the first athletics gold to his country.

Shinji Takahira from Japan took a surprise lead from the very beginning, but only had to swallow the bit and took the silver in 20.93 seconds. Paul Hession of Ireland took the bronze in 21.02 seconds.

In the women's discus throw, Wioletta Potepa of Poland showed her strength to win the gold with 62.10 meters, beating Chinese veteran Song Aimin to second place. Song failed her first attempt, but nipped her event best with 61.74 meters in the second try.

Dragana Tomasevic of Serbia and Montenegro took the bronze in 59.92 meters, followed by another Chinese woman Liu Linpeng who set her personal best of 58.88 meters.

Aleksander Walerianczyk of Poland narrowly grabbed the men's high jump gold after he flew over the 2.30 meter in his last attempt, making him the only jumper to clear the height.

Gennadiy Moroz of Belarus won the silver in 2.26, while Briton Martyn Bernard finished third in 2.23 meters.

Bjorn Otto of Germany crowned in the men's pole vault after clearing 5.80 meters, while Konstantinos Filippidis of Greece took the silver in 5.75 meters behind. The bronze went to Ukrainian Oleksande Korehmid in 5.70 meters.

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