After winning all eight titles she has contested at the past four World Championships, China's diving queen Guo Jingjing is looking to dominate the World Championships a fifth time in Roma from July 18 to Aug 1.
The world and Olympic champion will again compete in the 3m springboard and 3m synchronized event after returning in typically winning style to competition last month, according to a line-up for Rome worlds just released by Chinese Swimming Association.
After the Beijing Olympic Games, when Guo claimed her third and fourth Olympic gold medals, the diving super star enjoyed six months off, shooting advertisements and attending various social activities until making a return in triumphant style at the fifth stop of the 2009 Diving Grand Prix in Fort Lauderdale (US) early last month.
Shortly after that success she continued to produce vintage form in the National Championships, representing Hebei and partnering teenager Wang Han to beat her Olympic partner Wu Minxia's Shanghai team.
But for the Roma tournament, Guo will still join forces with Wu to defend their title in the women's synchro.
"My focus in 2009 will be on the World Championships in July in Rome, as well as (China's) 11th National Games in October," Guo said earlier last month.
Guo has not committed to extending her career until the 2012 London Games, although she has previously stated her intention to retire at the age of 30, meaning she could take part in her fifth Olympics.
Rumors about her imminent retirement after October's National Games arose again after the competition last month, but Guo shrugged off all speculation.
"I never thought of retiring after the National Games. I will continue as long as I can keep in good shape."
China sent a 14-member team, consisting of eight championship debutants, to the last World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, where they won nine of a total 10 titles.
(China DailyJune 5, 2009)
