SINGAPORE, Reuter: China ended the Asian track and field championships today with a total gold medal haul of 21, way ahead of its rivals, as sprinters Talal Mansoor of Qatar and India’s P.T. Usha stole the hearts of the crowd.
Chinese athletes won five of today’s eight events, including the men’s 20 km walk and the women’s 1500 meters and high jump. Their gold tally broke their own games record of 19, set two years ago in Jakarta.
Mansoor, a 23yearold soldier, made up a five meter deficit in the fourth leg on China’s Li Tao, who faded after glancing nervously at his rival.
China made no mistake in the women’s 100 meters relay. Winning in 45.20 seconds, with India second in 45.49 seconds after a fast final leg by Usha. Taiwan again took third) place.
Usha brought the spectators to their feet in the 400 meters relay, reaching the tape nearly 40 meters ahead of second placed China. India’s time was 34.50 seconds.
The win gave Usha, who earlier won the 400 meters and 400 meters hurdles, her third gold of the meeting two less than her haul at the last games in Jakarta in 1985.
She also won silver this time in the 100 meters, but pulled out of the 200 meters to allow Filipina star Lydia De Vega an easy sprint double.
Usha’s three gold medals were the only ones won by India. South Korea also finished with three.
Japan ended with four golds after winning a close tussle in the men’s 400 men’s today, edged out Malaysia in the final two strides to win in three minutes 09.31 seconds.
GOLD SILVER BRONZE
CHINA 21 13 8
QATAR 5 2 1
JAPAN 4 7 8
SOUTH KOREA 3 6 4
INDIA 3 3 1
PHILIPPINES 2 – –
NORTH KOREA 1 1 3
OMAN – – –
TAIWAN – 4 10
MALAYSIA – 2 2
INDONESIA – 1 1
KUWAIT – 1 –
IRAN – – 1
IRAQ – – 1
Article extracted from this publication >> July 31, 1987
