China atop Medal Standings with Russia, France not Far away

WUHAN (CHN) - Hosts China put up a strong showing on the first medal day of the 10-day 7th CISM Military World Games by taking 12 of the 22 gold medals at stake.

The Chinese servicemen and women struck gold in such sports as shooting, aeronautical pentathlon, fencing, judo and swimming.

The swimming competition turned out the day's bonanza for the Chinese who took six gold medals from nine finals. The Chinese also won gold medals from the day's judo (with three golds), shooting (1), aeronautical pentathlon (1) and fencing (1).

Chasing China on the medal standings were Russia with four gold, five silver and six bronze medals, followed by France and Uzbekistan each with two golds. But France finished above Uzbekistan with four silver and two bronze medals. Uzbekistan got one silver and one bronze.

Russian and French cyclists combined to deny the Chinese from touching any gold medal in the men's and women's individual time trials of cycling held on October 19.

But the Chinese committed mistakes as the men's team table tennis competition of October 19 witnessed a human error.

Already two sets off with a score of one set-each, the match between China and Greece was called off "out of the blue." The players and their coaches were reckoned to the playing table-side by the chair referee before things were quickly smoothed out.

China turned out to be the erring side which played its second player against the first player of the Greek side. Lots-draw decides the order of play before match and the first, second and third players of each side should pair off to play accordingly.

With the order of play redressed, the Chinese team beat the Greek side three sets to love.

There will be 29 gold medals on stake on October 20.

(Source: SUMOC Executive Committee - Editor NIE Yang