"Diving Queen" Guo Jingjing and World Cup rookie He Chong bagged two golds for China on the first day of competition at the FINA Diving World Cup in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, on Wednesday.

In the women's one-meter springboard event, 24-year-old Guo lived up to expectations by taking the gold with 323.70 points, followed by compatriot Wu Minxia who finished with 301.10 points. Canadian veteran Blythe Hartley was placed third with 300.25 points.

Guo Jingjing (R) and Wu Minxia

World and Olympics champion Guo had to play catch-up as Hartley led the field of 12 finalists in the first two rounds.

The 24-year-old Hartley is a specialist on the one-meter springboard, having been crowned twice in the event at the World Aquatic Championships in 2001 and 2005.

However, Guo bounced back into competition on her third dive, taking the top spot which she didn't relinquish. 

"I'm happy with my performance tonight," Guo said, "and I'm happy to see so many people supporting me."

He Chong eased to victory in the same event for men with 505.65 points, followed by He's teammate Luo Yutong with 445.55 points. Chris Colwill from the United States grabbed the bronze with a total score of 423.85 points.

He Chong

The 19-year-old He, who won a gold in the three-meter springboard synchronized event with Wang Feng at the 2005 World Aquatic Championships in Montreal, Canada, led the field from the start.

Although a poorly executed fourth dive - a reverse two-and-a-half somersault - only earned him 72 points, his lowest score of the evening, He convinced the judges otherwise with his last two dives, receiving 90.00 points and 96.90 points respectively.

"I didn't spend much time training on the one-meter springboard, so I think I performed well enough tonight," He said later.

He will also compete on Thursday in the men's three-meter springboard event. He's touted to win since World Champion Alexandre Despatie of Canada has had to miss the World Cup due to injury.

Vying for the women's 10-meter platform title on Thursday are 2003 world champion Emilie Heymans of Canada, and 2005 World Champion Laura Wilkinson from the United States.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2006)