Russia’s gold tally reaches 13
Published 20 August, 2008, 11:23
In Beijing day 12 of the Olympics has already brought Russia three gold medals. The duo of Anastasias Davydova and Yermakova won the synchronised swimming event, then wrestler Buvaysar Saytiev took Russia's 13th Olympic
Earlier, swimmer Larisa Ilchenko took gold in the inaugural 10 km open water marathon swim.
Initially letting Keri-Anne Payne and Cassandra Patten ahead for most of the race, on its closing stages she made a sprint for gold and – though getting a caution from the referees in the process – she managed to come out on top after 1 hour, 59 minutes, 27.7 seconds.
Larisa Ilchenko (AFP Photo / Laurent Fievet)
This strategy has helped Ilchenko trademark to dominate open water swimming since 2004, winning five consecutive 5 km world championships and three consecutive 10 km races.
Payne took the silver in 1:59.40.7. Her British teammate, Patten, earned the bronze.
Saytiev’s record
Russia’s Buvaysar Saytiev, 33, matched the all-time Olympic wrestling record with his third freestyle wrestling gold in the 74 kg category.
The record was set by Aleksandr Medved and repeated by Aleksandr Karelin.
Russia is currently ranked 4th in the overall medal standings with 13 gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze medals, while China tops the standings boasting 44 gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze medals.
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