DAEGU, South Korea, 25 August 2003 — Wu Minxia won gold for China in women’s diving yesterday but sporting events at the World Student Games were overshadowed when violence broke out following an anti-North Korea protest.
More than 100 police moved in as a small group of North Koreans broke up a peaceful anti-Pyongyang demonstration, sparking ugly scenes as scuffles spread across the press center forecourt and inside the building.
The incident eclipsed Wu’s achievement in beating teammate Guo Jingjing, a double diving gold medalist at last month’s World Swimming Championships in Barcelona, in the women’s 1m springboard final.
Wu and Guo teamed up to win the 3m synchronized diving at Barcelona, although Guo edged out her rival in the individual 3m springboard.
Earlier Chinese triple world champion Luo Xuejuan had set a World Student Games record in her 50m breaststroke heat.
Russia won its first gold medal at the Games as Irina Chashchina won the rhythmic gymnastics all-round individual competition, with North and South Korea among the competitors in the group event.
Italy won revenge for its national side’s defeat to South Korea at last year’s football World Cup, winning 1-0 to knock the hosts out of the men’s competition.
Thailand, Japan, Britain and Iran won their groups with second-place Italy, Czech Republic, Morocco and China following them into the last eight.
South Korea, early leaders in the medals table, were hoping to console their football disappointment with further taekwondo success. South Koreans were still in contention for four out of six golds on offer in the home-grown martial art as bouts continued.
Meanwhile, Canada lost out to Russia in a hard-fought basketball game which ended 88-92. Both teams had previously been unbeaten. More than 170 teams are taking part in the World Student Games, a junior Olympics being held in this city 300 kilometers (190 miles) south-east of Seoul.
