Chinese machine still churning out medals

The Cuban world champion, Osleidys Menendez, set a new championship record in the women's javelin, the American athletes dominated the track, but it was the Chinese medal machine, having regained its momentum, that headlined the heaviest day of competition at the University Games.

With 30 gold medals contested yesterday, the Americans took four on the track and two in the pool, while Japan won the last three women's swimming finals. The Chinese, meanwhile, won 10 gold medals including the women's synchronised springboard and the men's synchronised platform to complete a sweep of diving gold medals.

Menendez set a meet record with her second attempt, a throw of 69.82 metres – 7.62m clear of second placed Nikola Tomeckova of the Czech Republic and less than two metres outside her world record of 71.54.

China leads with 44 gold medals and 85 overall with three days of competition remaining. The United States, who topped the standings with 30 gold medals at the last student Games in Palma, are second in the table with 16 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze. Japan has 11 gold medals and 44 overall.

Elsewhere, Sorreya Ayhan did a lap of honour with her coach after winning the women's 1,500m in 4min 06.91sec to secure Turkey's first track gold at a University Games. "This is a first – I think the whole of Turkey will celebrate," she said.