The Daegu Summer Universiade Tournament 2003 will begin from the 21st of August till 31st in Daegu. This tournament, with the most participating countries of 171 countries including North Korea, will have the most sumptuous opening. As for Korea, 350 athletes are looking forward for an overall ranking in fifth place and receiving over 10 gold medals.

The Universiade Tournament is a contest which college students and amateur players from ages 17 to 28, compete their skills in 13 formal field and track sport events, such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, fencing, gymnastics, swimming, diving, water polo and also sports selected by the host country, taekwondo, archery and judo.

Korea is counting on gold medals in archery, taekwondo, judo, half marathon, javelin and women fencing.

Especially in archery, 3 female state amateurs including the gold medallist from the Sydney Olympics, Mi-jin Yun, are participating. Another gold is expected from female fencers, Hui-jeong Kim, Geum-ran Lee and other players.

In addition, the tournament is arousing international interest by North Korea’s participation of 220 athletes and a cheering party of 310.

Source : Kids Hankook Ilbo (July 28)