China's Li wins women's pole vault, Russia collects 4 golds at Universiade

Chinese Li Ling lifted the women's pole vault title in 4.45 meters at the Gwangju Universiade on Thursday while Russia became the big winner of track and field the day, snatching four gold medals.

New Zealand's Eliza Mccartney and Belgium's Chloe Henry shared 4.40 meters to rank second and third respectively in the women's pole vault.

South Africa's Akani Simbine sprinted to 9.97 seconds in men's 100 meters to set a new tournament record. In women's 100m, Kazakhstan's Viktoriya Zyabkina clocked 11.23 to beat Jamaican runner Crystal Williams' 11.46 seconds. Russia's Elena Kozlova came in third in 11.47 seconds.

In women's long jump, Russia's Luliia Pidluzhnaia managed a personal-best 6.79 meters, beating Poland's Anna Jagaciak-Michalska 6.57 meters.

In men's triple jump, Russia's Dmitrii Sorokin jumped to his personal best of 17.29 meters. China's Xu Xiaolong and Burkina Faso's Hugues Zango shared 16.76 meters in the medal podium.

In men's 1000m, Russia's Igor Maximov timed 29:15.30 to win the long-distance event. Romania's Nicolae-Alexandru Soare finished second in his personal best 29:18.71 and Japan's Keisuke Nakatani followed 29:19.30.

In women's discus throw, Russia had its fourth gold in the athletics as Yulia Maltseva covered a length of 59.37 meters, out-powering Germany's Marike Steinacker in 58.83 meters.

Australia's Dane Bird-Smith finished the 20km walk in one hour 21 minutes and 30 seconds to win the first event of the day.

In men's hammer throw, Poland's Pawel Fajdek fired 80.05 meters, almost five meters longer than the second-placed result from Belarus' Pavel Bareisha. Endi