Diving queen Guo shines at Olympic national qualifier in spite of illness

JINAN, East China, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- World and Olympic champion diver Guo Jingjing on Wednesday shrugged off health concern to win the three-meter springboard title at the 2008 Olympic diving national qualifier.

"I felt dizzy," said the 27-year-old Guo on Thursday. "I was not in form. It's difficult for me to find the rhythm yesterday. But to compete while I'm sick is an important experience for me."

The springboard specialist has caught a cold, but she still kept on practice every day. "It is not a big deal. I won't stop training."

An ailing Guo showed her absolute dominance in Wednesday's qualifier and she was never challenged by her opponents in the final when she scored more than 75 points from all her five dives. Her winning mark was 403.20 points.

He Zi, silver medalist in the event in Doha Asian Games, trailed at 382.05 to finish second.

Li Ting, gold medalist of the women's 10-meter platform synchronized diving in Athens, took the bronze at 346.70.

"My sickness did affect my performance," said Guo, winner of the Melbourne Worlds. "I did not find my best form. But in all, I competed OK, I think it is because I have taken part in lots of competitions and gleaned enough experience to control myself."

Guo started her diving career when she was five. She made her Olympic debut at 15 in Atlanta, finished fifth in women's 10 meters platform. Guo won her first Olympic title in Athens Olympics 2004 when she was 23.

Guo had crowned the world champion in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007diving Worlds. she has become the first diver who claimed four consecutive victories in one event at the World Championships.