Golds carved up in Universiade athletics

Fourteen gold medals went to different countries in the Universiade as the track and field competitions closed on Sunday.

Chinese heroine Zhang Yingying captured the women's half marathon gold medal, which was her second medal here as she had already finished on podium in 10,000 meters four days ago barefoot.

Zhang won a bronze medal on Wednesday in 10,000m barefoot after her right-foot sneaker had been stepped off in the middle of the race. The 25-year-old held on to finish about 5,000 meters with one shoe on. The right foot was full of bloody blisters as she crossed the finish line.

In men's half marathon, Japanese runners finished top three. Yusuke Ogura came first in 1:04:41, followed by Tadashi Isshiki's 1:04:52 and Yuta Takahashi's 1:05:29.

Shaquille Walker of America had a time of 1:49.05 to win men's 800 meters, 0.24 seconds ahead of Morocco's Abdelati El Guesse. South Africa's Rynardt Van Rensburg came in third with a tiny difference of 0.01 second.

Uganda's Docus Ajok managed her season best of 4:18.53 to clinch women's 1,500 meters. Canada's Gabriel Stafford was second in 4:19.27 and Russia's Kristina Ugarova in third 4:19.78.

In men's 5,000 meters, Hayle Ibrahimov of Azerbaijan clocked 13:44.28 to top the race. Morocco's Zouhair Talbi finished second in 14:02.06 and Russia's Rinas Akhmadeev settled in third for 14:05.88.

Russia's Pavel Shalin leapt 8.29 meters to nail men's long jump. His countryman Vasilii Kopeikin was second in 8.13m and South African Rudolph Pienaar took a bronze in 7.98m.

Lithuanian Airine Palsyte skipped 1.84 meters to grab the title in women's high jump. Elizabeth Boyer of America managed 1.80m and Lativa's Madara Onuzane shared the same height, but was ranked third for her inferior overall result.

In women's javelin throw, Belarussian Tats Khaladovich fired 60.45 meters, followed by Latvian Lina Muze's 60.26m and Czech Irena Sediva's 59.89m.

In women's 4X100m relay, Viktoriya Zyabkina, who won the 100m and 200m here, spearheaded Kazakhstan to victory in 44.28 seconds. Team USA followed up with 0.67 seconds trailing and Thailand secured the podium in 45.03.

In men's 4X100m relay, Japan grasped the top place in 39.08 seconds. Poland and South Africa finished second and third in 39.50s and 39.68s respectively.

In women's 4X400m relay, Poland stood out in 3:31.98, followed by Russia's 3:32.46 and team USA's 3:37.20.

In men's 4X400m relay, Domincan Republic claimed the title in 3:05.05. Japan had a time of 3:07.75 in second and Poland produced its season best of 3:07.75 in third. Endi