New Zealand win creditable five medals at world university games

The highlight was the solitary gold medal, won by middle distance runner Angie Petty in the 800m. Photo / NZME.

New Zealand equalled its second best effort with five medals at the world university games in Gwangju, South Korea. It trailed only the 2011 games in China, when New Zealand won 12 medals, all in swimming.

The highlight was the solitary gold medal, won by middle distance runner Angie Petty in the 800m.

The three silver medals went to lightweight single sculler Toby Cunliffe-Steel, pole vaulter Eliza McCartney and 5000m runner Camille Buscomb.

The one bronze went to Petty's Commonwealth Games teammate last year, hammer thrower Julia Ratcliffe.

New Zealand also won five medals in Izmir, Turkey, 10 years ago.

The return is a big improvement on the effort at the last games, in Kazan, Russia two years ago, when Brent Newdick's bronze in the decathlon was the country's only medal.

New Zealand sent 66 athletes. Athletics, with 30, had the most, while swimming, diving, table tennis, rowing, fencing and artistic gymnastics were also represented.