Dragon Boat World Games Highlights

 
(KOC-CNA, Kaohsiung, July 17) Russia won the two gold medals up for grabs in the dragon boat races Friday, while host Taiwan took a silver and bronze at the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung Friday.

In the 200-meter final, Russia won gold in a time of 46.16 seconds, while Hungary seized silver in 47.06 seconds and Taiwan, formally known in international competition as Chinese Taipei, took bronze with a time of 47.14 seconds.

Teams from Germany and the United States finished fourth and fifth, respectively. A team from China that was listed as a participant in the 200-meter race failed to show up for the qualifying heat of the competition, being held at Lotus Pond.

The Russians also took the gold in the 2,000-meter dragon boat race in a time of eight minutes, 36 minutes and 16 seconds.

Taiwan took silver, finishing more than a half-minute behind the winning team, while Canada won the bronze.

Boats from Hungary, the United States and the Ukraine were disqualified for bumping into rival boats while making a turn.

Taiwan will compete in the 500-meter and the 1,000-meter races Saturday, and coach Lee Jung-wen expects more good performances.

He attributed the team's success Friday to its skill level, familiarity with the competition's rules and the local environment, and intensive training prior to the World Games.

Dragon boat is one of the five invitational sports at this year's World Games.

(KOC-CNA story by Chang Che-fon)

Tags: Dragon Boat