China has garnered a total of 110 world champions and set world records in 22 sports for the bumper year of 2000, according to the year-end statistics announced by the State Sports General Administration.

Of the 18 sports where the world titles are distributed, the finswimming stands first with 22 champions, followed by short-course speed skating (16), diving (15), shooting (9) and table tennis(8).

The Olympic sports contributed 54 titles, accounting for 49.1 percent of the whole, which also includes the unprecedented haul of 28 gold medals China achieved in the Sydney Olympics.

The gold medals never come alone as Chinese athletes beat old world marks for 30 times by 14 athletes.

Eight Chinese powerlifters come to the forefront by setting new world records in 14 events for 21 times, followed by three shooters in five events for six times and three nautical model players in three events for three times.

For the Olympic sports four athletes shatter records in five events for eight times.

(People's Daily 12/30/2000)