Olympic champion Guo Jingjing continued her uncontested monopoly
over the 3m springboard by winning her fourth consecutive world
title in Melbourne on Sunday at the World Championships.
From the first round on, Guo led the 12 finalists until the end,
finally being crowned world champion with 381.74 points accumulated
over five top-quality dives.
"I could feel pressure during the competition," Guo said, "but I
just tried my best to be relaxed."
Guo became the first diver in history to register four
successive World Championship victories in the same event.
"I had never thought about it before," the 25-year-old said,
"and I felt nothing special now."
However, the taciturn veteran admitted that each win stood out
for her.
"I received my first gold in 2001 and then in 2003 while I was
preparing for the Athens Olympics. In 2005, the gold proved my
capabilities of winning, and this year, it is again preparing me
for the Beijing Olympics next year. However, this might be my last
World Championships."
Guo's teammate Wu Minxia placed second with 368.80 points and
Italian Tania Cagnotto grabbing the bronze with 341.70 points.
Guo is still on for another four Championships winning streak in
the women's three-meter springboard synchronized diving, following
her three gold medals in the discipline since 2001.
Monday will see Guo pair up with Wu Minxia again in the event,
and the Olympic winners are odds-on favorites after claiming the
2001 and 2003 World Championships.
At the 2005 World Championships, Guo teamed with Li Ting to
claim the victory.
Guo Jingjing (R) and Wu Minxia
(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2007)
