The World Games 2009 Continues in Kaohsiung; Russians so far the Big Winners

A total of 3,062 athletes from 103 countries continue to compete in the third day of The World Games 2009 in Taiwan. The harbor city Kaohsiung became the center of attention after a spectacular opening ceremony. International World Games Association (IWGA) President Ron Froehlich praised that “the opening ceremony was without a doubt the best we have ever had at The World Games.” New Zealand singer Hayley Westenra’s astonishing voice had won hearts of nearly 50,000 spectators and millions of TV audiences. Westenra’s CDs are quickly selling out in local stores.

Russia’s Gymnast Eugenia Kanaeva, who won the individual all-around gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, won all four World Games gold medals at the rhythmic gymnastics competitions (For copyright-free photos: www.pts.org.tw/wg200).

Australia’s Johanna Allston, who finished second to Finland’s Minna Kauppi in orienteering sprint, clocked 27 minutes, 1.0 seconds in the middle distance race to exact revenge on her Finnish rival and grab the gold. The 23-year-old Allston is the first Australian woman orienteer ever to win a gold medal at a World Championship level.

Russia completed the orienteering with a compelling gold medal performance in the team relay, outpacing Finland and Norway. Russia also took four dragon boat gold medals, winning both the 500M and 1,000M finals by split seconds over Hungary and Germany.

In men’s tug-of-war the Netherlands snatched the gold medal when its eight-man team outpulled Swiss opponents in a best-of-five bout final.

Mongolia’s Byambajav Ulambayar outperformed Japan’s Mutoshi Matsunaga to win the men’s sumo open gold, while Russia’s Anna Zhigalova beat Ukraine’s Olga Davydko to win the women’s gold.

At the bodybuilding competition, South Korea captured three gold medals out of the seven events contested, while host Chinese Taipei picked up a silver and a bronze.

The French men and British women lived up to their status as favorites in canoe polo event by winning gold medals, but both teams faced fierce challenges in respective finals.

By hosting The World Games, Taiwan gained practical, know-how experience in hosting internationally recognized multi-sport events. This should facilitate any future bids for having multi-sport events in Taiwan.

(KOC-CNA)

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