BANGKOK, Aug 17: Diving powerhouse China took three gold medals in a row on Friday to boost their lead in the World University Games’ medals table as Russia squandered the chance to return to the top spot.

Russia, sitting a close second on the penultimate day of the event, missed out on six valuable golds during the day.

They took one silver in women’s basketball when losing to Australia, another in women’s football when losing to North Korea, plus three in rhythmic gymnastics, and yet another in judo.

Late on Friday, China had 30 golds, Russia 26 and Ukraine 25, but three gold medals were still within Russia’s grasp during the evening’s rhythmic gymnastics programme.

The men’s football title was also to be contested on Friday evening with Ukraine taking on Italy.

Football-crazy Thailand had hoped their team would challenge for gold, but they ended up with a consolation bronze after beating Canada on penalties.

Reigning Olympic title-holder Peng Bo helped strengthen China’s medal table position when winning the men’s three-metre springboard event, with compatriot and world champion Luo Yutong in second.

Favourites Canada won the softball, beating Taiwan, who had earned their place in the final by seeing off Japan earlier on Friday.

Japan had previously knocked out the USA, whose teams also performed poorly in the men's and women’s basketball, finishing ninth and sixth respectively.

Ukrainian bronze medalist Anna Bessnova was the star of the rhythmic gymnastics, collecting two titles as Ukraine took the first three golds of the programme — each time pushing a frustrated Russia back into silver.

The women’s volleyball gold went to Poland after they beat Serbia.

In golf, Chen Ming-chuan took the men's title as host nation Thailand collected a surprise men’s team gold, despite their best player finishing only tenth.

Ireland’s Danielle McVeigh held her overnight lead to win the women's gold with a four-under par final score. Montenegro won gold in the water polo, beating Italy.

The University Games concludes Saturday with a clutch of diving golds up for grabs, plus Canada against Italy in the men's volleyball final, and Lithuania against Serbia for the men's basketball gold.

A grand closing ceremony will wrap up the ten-day event which has seen 8,000 student athletes compete in 17 different sports.

—AFP