体坛英语新闻：Swimmers of host Sri Lanka narrow gap to one gold behind India

COLOMBO, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Swimmers of Sri Lanka swept all the gold medals in the life-saving event at the first South Asian Beach Games on Wednesday, making the hosts almost catch up with regional giants India.

At the end of the fifth day of the tournament held in Hambantota, southern coast of Sri Lanka, the hosts narrowed the gap to only one gold behind India.

The life savers of Sri Lanka, who had collected three golds at the end of the fourth day, managed to secure three golds on Wednesday.

However, India, who topped the medal tally at the end of fourth day with 7 gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze medals, managed only to take one more gold, a silver and four bronzes on Wednesday.

The only gold collected for India was in the event of equestrian - Lance and Sword (pairs) by Krishan Yadar and Jaswinder Singh Bhatt. Nepal and Pakistan went on to win the silver and the bronze.

Oct. 13 will be decisive for both India and Sri Lanka in the finals of the men's handball and men and women volleyball.

A total of 359 athletes from eight South Asian nations are competing for 26 gold medals. The host Sri Lanka has the biggest contingent with 110 sports personnel while India has the second highest with 93.