Irina Chishchina Wins Three Gold Medals at World Student Games

Irina Chishchnia of Russia became the first athlete to win three gold medals at the 2003 Summer Universiade in Daegu.

Chishchina, who earlier won the gold medal at the individual all-around competition of rhythmic gymnastics on Aug. 24, added two more gold medals at hoop and ball individual finals held in Gyeongju Gymnasium on Aug. 25.

The young Russian scored 38.375 at the hoop well ahead of Anna Bezsonova of Ukraine (27.650), winning her second gold medal. The third medal came after her performance at the ball, in which she also beat the Ukraine rival.

Meantime, Russia continued to dominate the field and track, winning both the men`s and women`s 20km walk. Tatiana Sivilleva of Russia won the gold medal at women`s 20km walk at 1 hour 34 minutes and 55 seconds, ahead the silver medallist Ching Rigian of China, who finished at 1 hour 35 minutes and 52 seconds.

Stephan Udin of Russia soon followed suit, finishing the men`s 20km walk at 1 hour 23 minutes and 34 seconds. Park Chil-sung of Korea finished fifth at 1 hour 24 minutes and 45 seconds.

Korea Judo star Cho Su-hee advanced to the final of 78kg weight, securing a silver medal at least. The gold medallist at the Busan Asian Games beat Stephani Posamai of France at the semifinal held in Suryeon Center, Gyemyung University in Daegu on Aug. 25.

Shim Min-jee passed the preliminary of women`s backstroke swimming on the second place, brightening the outlook for a medal at swimming.

The inter-Korea fencing matches recorded a tie – one win and one loss for each team. Lee Hye-sun of South Korea beat Kim Hee-ran of North Korea by 5-3 at women`s foil individual held in Daegu Convention Center. Lee Geum-sook of North Korea soon tied the match, beating Oh Ha-na, who was already qualified for the quarterfinals with four wins.

At archery, Cho Young-joon advanced to quarterfinals at men`s compound, and Park Jin-young and Choi Mi-yeon also moved to quarterfinals at women`s compound.