World University Games : Franks, Howard Give U.S. Sweep of 400-Meter Golds

Michael Franks and Denean Howard gave the United States victories in the the men’s and women’s 400-meter races Wednesday at the World University Games.

The U.S. team had swept the 100-meter gold medals at the Dinamo Stadium Tuesday.

Franks used a strong kick to finish in 45.33 seconds, a stride ahead of Nigeria’s Moses Ugbisie. American Raymond Pierre took the bronze.

In the women’s 400, Howard won in 51.07. Ludmila Digalova of the Soviet Union and Jamaica’s Sandie Richards took the silver and bronze, respectively.

The field events were dominated by the Soviet team. The women’s shotput was won by world record-holder Natalia Lissovaskaia with a throw of 67 feet 2 inches. The silver medalist was Kathrin Neimke of East Germany, and Larisa Peleshenko of the Soviet Union took the bronze.

Igor Astapkovitch set a Games record of 257-6 in the hammer. West German Heinrich Weis was second, followed by Italian Lucio Serrani.

Victor Spassov of the Soviet Union won the pole vault ahead of compatriot Radion Gataoulline and American Scott Davis.

East Germany’s Axel Kripschock won the men’s 10,000 meters in 29 minutes 7.02 seconds. He was followed by Greece’s Andriopoulous Spiridon. American Pat Porter was third.

Jonathan Ridgeon earned Britain’s first track gold in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.29 seconds, beating Arthur Blake and Keith Talley, both of the United States.

Mitch Richmond of Kansas State scored 13 points to help the U.S. men’s basketball team post a 69-57 win over Czechoslovakia and gain a berth in the semifinals. Cuba downed the Soviet Union, 82-79, to secure the fourth berth--alongside the United States, Canada and Yugoslavia.

In women’s basketball, Yugoslavia defeated Bulgaria, 75-63, and the Soviet Union beat China, 83-72, in the semifinals.

Chinese diver Tan Liangde won the men’s 3-meter springboard with a total of 674.91 points for 11 dives. Compatriot Li Deliang earned the silver and American Ron Meyer the bronze.