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South Korea finishes 1-2 on Shenzhen Universiade cycling event

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South Korea finishes 1-2 on Shenzhen Universiade cycling event

Gu Sungeun of South korea reacts during the awarding ceremony for women's 120 km cycling road race at the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, a city of south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 13, 2011. Gu Sungeun claimed the title of the event with 3 hours 31 minutes and 42 seconds. [Xinhua/Li Ga]

Gu Sungeun from South Korea clocked 3 hours 31 minutes and 42 seconds to win the first Shenzhen Universiade cycling gold on women's 120km road race at Longgang Sports Center on Saturday.

Gu's teammate Son Hee Jong finished second while Anne Arnouts of Belgium took the bronze.

"The weather was hot," said 26-year-old Gu, "but that was fair with every athlete, so I was satisfied with the result."

Gu, who majored in sports in a local university, spent 3-5 hours per day on training. She missed the opening ceremony on Friday because of the early starting time of her event.

"I was a little bit disappointed about that," said Gu, "but I watched TV and that's also very good."

Aizhan Zhaparova of Russia was seen as a major favorite before the race. As a Russian national champion, she was ranked 93rd on the UCI (Union International de Cyclisme) world ranking list. Zhaparova led the team in most parts of the race, only to find the seventh berth due to the poor performance on the sprinting stage.

The weather was sunny on Saturday, which increased cyclists' energy expenses. Several riders didn't finish their race, including Chinese Taipei athletes Huang Tingying and Lee Yuhsuan.

Arnouts, a collage student majored in pharmacy, said she felt a little nervous before the race.

"A little stressed before the race," said Arnouts, "because I really want to perform well in the race."

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