China finished top of the table at the Fifth World Dragon Boat Racing Championship in Shanghai on Sunday, winning eleven gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

But it was the Russians who won the highly valued Premier Open, a men's 500-meter race, finishing just ahead of Canada and the Czech Republic.

The Canadians finished second in the overall competition with five gold medals.

Many of the rowers said the most impressive performance of the event was put in by the organizers.

"Some of our athletes have been to large international tournaments like the Olympics but even for them, Qingpu has done a very impressive job," said Mike Haslam, executive vice president of the International Dragon Boat Federation.

Haslam visited Shanghai five times over the past 12 months to ensure the success of the event, which was delayed for over a year due to the SARS outbreak.

More than 2,000 athletes took part in the event, competing in 22 classifications.

(Eastday.com October 25, 2004)