Chinese swimmer sets new world record, India wins first gold in Mili

Hyderabad, Oct 19 (UNI) An unheralded Chinese swimmer Yang Li set a new world record in women's 50m backstroke while India won its first gold in sailing on the penultimate day of the the 4th Military World Games here today.

Yang's 28.09s effort bettered United States swimmer Leila Vaziri's 28.16s set at Melbourne in March this year.

The record, though, would be subject to confirmation by FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation or International Swimming Federation), the world governing body for swimming, Games' organizers said here.

Military World Games, which was first held in Rome in 1995, is an event recognised by International Olympic Council (IOC).

The dramatic day also brought cheers for India with men's sailing team winning gold in Mumbai. India 's medal tally now stands at eight with one gold, one silver and six bronze.

Indian sailing crew of R Mahesh and Giridharilal Yadav finished first with 10.9 points after a total of eight races, ahead of France (19 points) and Spain (25 points) at the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre, Colaba, Mumbai.

Meanwhile, 32-year-old Yang told reporters that she had no prior international exposure expect having taken part in the earlier Military Games in Catania (Italy) in 2003, though she has qualified for 100m backstroke for next year's Beijing Olympics.

Yang, an army soldier from Shanghai, said she could not believe that she had broken the world record.

''I don't know how I broke the record. It had just happened,'' she said through an interpreter.

When Yang swam to win the 50m backstroke at Gachibowli Swimming Complex ahead of compatriot Xu Tianlongzi ( 29.05s) and Zueva Anastasia of Russia (29.07s), the spectators were stunned after the public address system announced that a world record has been broken.

Pugilist Narjit Singh also assured at least a silver in boxing for India after storming into the final of 54 kg. He defeated Korea Republic's Jang Kwan Sik 18-11 in the semi-final while all his four compatriots lost their respective semi-final bouts.

HK Belwal was outplayed by technically superior Linzhi Gao of China 7-15 in 51 kg. Satya raju was no match to Ramashkevich Yauheni of Belarus in 64 kg losing 5-21, D Bhagyarajan bite the dust against H Rawshan of Uzbekistan 5-21 in 69kg and Mohinder Thapa was thaashed by Alex Dymakavets 2-18 in 81kg.

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