By Duncan Mackay

Samantha Mills Kazan 2013July 7 - Australia's Samantha Mills today claimed the first gold medal of the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan when she won the one metre springboard diving event. 


Mills won with a score of 281.40 points to beat Chinese rivals Jia Dongjin and Wang Liting, who scored 277.75 and 271.45 respectively. 

Hopes of a first medal for hosts Russia were dashed as Svetlana Filippova came eighth and last on 235.50.

Mills, 21, who was a gymnast through her childhood and early teens, briefly turned to pole vaulting before switching to diving five years ago.

Mills received her medal from Russian Sports Minister, Vitaly Mutko.

"This is a good start for the Universiade," he said.

"We are glad to see the first awards.

"Competitions in Kazan will constantly progress."

But, despite Filippova's disappointment, overall, the first day belonged to Russia, who won a total six gold medals, two silver and eight bronze on the day after the Games had been opened by the country's President Vladimir Putin at a spectacular ceremony. 

Roman Abramovich at Kazan 2013 July 7 2013Roman Abramovich, the owner of English Premier League club Chelsea, was among the distinguished visitors on the first day of competition at Kazan 2013

Among those who attended the opening day of competition were Roman Abramovich, the owner of former European champions Chelsea and Russia's fifth richest man with a fortune estimated at $14.6 billion (£9.8 billion/€11.3 billion).

South Korea took the second place on medal table with three gold - rom judo, women's individual epee and badminton's mixed team event - and one bronze medals.

China, meanwhile, who topped the medals table at the 2011 Universiade in Shenzhen, claimed two gold, four silver and two bronze on the opening day. 

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