2015 World University Games: Day 8 roundup

Apurvi Chandela’a absence was a major talking point

At the halfway stage of the Gwangju 2015 Summer Universiade, South Korea is currently leading the table with 30 gold, 23 silver and 18 bronze medals, as they managed to bag two more gold medals on Thursday. KIM Sohee won the gold in Women's 57kg and the second gold medal was clinched in the fencing category.

China maintained its second place in the rankings with 46 medals – 22 gold, 14 silver, 10 bronze. China added five gold medals to its tally reaching 22 at the end of eighth day of the games, with 4 gold medals in diving and one in athletics.

Meanwhile, Russia advanced one step up making its place at third position in the table with 72 medals (19 gold, 24 silver and 29 bronze).

India finished 24^th in the medal standings with four medals – 1 gold 1 silver 2 bronze. On Thursday, the women shooters lost an opportunity to challenge for the podium as they could not field a full team in the women’s 50m three position event.

World Cup bronze medallist Apurvi Chandela was found missing, however Priyal Keni and Aditi Singh took their positions in front of the target, but all their efforts went in vain. Yesterday’s star performer, Inderjeet Singh, made history by clinching first ever gold at Universiade. He won the shot put event with his final throw of 20.27m.

The 2015 Summer Universiade, which marks the 28^th edition of the sports event, opened in the city of Gwangju on July 3, and will run until July 14. The World University Games are organised by International University Sports Federation (FISU) which is open to athletes between the ages of 17 to 28. Around 13000 athletes from 144 countries are competing for 272 gold medals in 21 sports at 38 venues.

Indian viewers can view these games on DD Sports as the channel is broadcasting LIVE telecast of this 12-day sports extravaganza event from 3^rd to 14^th July. This is the first time ever that Doordarshan is telecasting these games live.