Diving queen Guo Jingjing spearheads China to gold sweep
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-10-31 10:44

MACAO, October 30 (Xinhua) -- China wrapped up all three diving gold medals on Sunday as Guo Jingjing, dual Olympic gold medalist and world champion, easily picked the women's 1m springboard title.

Guo led all the way, every dive inviting cheers and applause from spectators.

The 24-year-old, one of 11 Chinese Olympic champions here, beat her teammate Ma Qianli by 23.85 points in the final.

Guo, hugely popular with Macao media and mobbed on her arrival, scored 319.59 points, ahead of Ma with 295.74 and Japan's Ryokyo Nishii with 292.53.

"It's an easy win," said Guo. "There wasn't much pressure and I was ready and calm.

"I will prepare for the 2006 Asian Games after the Macao games. "

Asked about challenge from her younger teammates, Guo said: "I don't worry about it. I will do whatever I need to do."

Mentioning media frenzy surrounding her arrival, Guo said: " Entertainers like pop singers, movie and TV stars need attention. Athletes don't."

Chinese National Games winners Chang Jing/Wang Liang won the men platform synchronized diving, beating Kim Chon-man/Ri Jong-nam from DPR Korea and Son Seng-chel/Kim Jin-yong from South Korea.

"I didn't feel much pressure," said Chang. "Two golds from the National Games and the East Asian Games are rewards for 10 years of training."