The 23rd World Universiade came to an end on August 21 in Izmir, Turkey. China pocketed 21 golds, 16 silvers and 12 bronzes to clinch the overall second place behind Russia, who reaped 26 golds, 16 silvers and 23 bronzes.

Russia staged a terrific late comeback at the 23rd World Universiade, ending China's domination of the medal tally.

Reeling in a total of 13 golds on Friday and Saturday, Russia secured its win over China one day before the last two finals on the final day, and eventually hauled their way to the top with 26 golds, 16 silvers and 23 bronzes.

In athletics, an event marked by the obvious absence of track and field powerhouse the United States, Russia showcased its superiority by taking 11 of the 46 gold medals on offer plus three slivers and six bronzes, followed by Poland with five golds, one silver and one bronze. China had to settle for third place with three golds, five silvers and one bronze.

Russian swimmers and fencers landed four golds each and their rhythmic gymnasts added three more to their tally.

Despite finishing second overall, China still has plenty to smile about. Spearheaded by "New Diving Queen" Guo Jingjing, the Chinese Dream Team of Diving took home 10 golds out of 12 at stake while gymnast Fan Ye, the 2003 world champion on the beam, led teammates to snatch four golds, four silvers and three bronzes.

Hu Kai's victory in the men's 100m sweetened things even more for the Chinese delegation because it was the country's first ever Universiade gold for that event.

On to other medal winners; thanks to Olympic gold medalist Hiroyuki Tomita, who pocketed four golds in the men's gymnastics competitions, and its swimmers' five-gold, six-silver and nine-bronze performance, Japan finished third on the final medal table with 18 golds, 18 silvers and 20 bronzes.

Ukraine had a fourth place finish on an 18-16-18 sheet as Anna Bessonova swept five individual rhythmic gymnastics titles, except the ribbon, which was won by her teammate Natalia Godunko. And its men swimmers collected five golds while the track and field team contributed three more.

The United States dominated in the swimming pool, setting a total of 15 Universiade records in 40 events. The US team won 11 gold medals, nine silvers and five bronzes. A distant second was Poland with six golds and two bronzes.

With an easy victory in Sunday's men's basketball final over Ukraine, the US finished fifth on the medal table with 17 golds, 12 silvers and 14 bronzes.

Playing host to the 46 year-old Universiade for the first time, Turkey made an unbelievable leap by bettering its two-silver finish at Daegu, South Korea two years ago with 10 golds, 11 silvers and six bronzes, and finishing eighth in the medal tally. The hosts took advantage of two optional sports, namely wrestling and taekwondo, to bag eight golds, seven silvers and three bronzes.

Fifty-seven countries participated in this year's games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2005)