AGU Media, DOHA (QAT): Japan, who finished overall second with two gold, four silver and six bronze medals behind Russia at the 29th University Games in Taipei, Taiwan, also defended the men’s team title.

The Universiade, which is the largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games, witnessed more than 7,500 athletes from 121 nations, competing in 21 summer sports, but China did not send any of their artistic gymnasts to the event.

Japan accumulated 260.225 points, with valuable contributions from Shogo Nonomura (15.550), Wataru Tanigawa and Kenta Chiba (15.150 each) and Yuya Kamoto (15.050) helped them win the crown.

Ukraine took the silver (257.900) followed by Russia (253.150).

Ukraine almost came close to winning the team’s title after they led more than 3.5 points following impressive performances by Olympic parallel bars champion Oleg Vernyayev and Olympic medalist Igor Radivilov, who put up big scores on rings and vault.

But the Ukrainians, who had topped team totals on pommel horse, rings and vault, disappointed on the high bar with just the ninth-best total while Japan claimed the parallel bars by putting up the highest team score on any event.

Athletes between the age of 17 and 28, and who have taken at least one 3-credit university course or received a diploma within the past year were eligible to participate in the competition.