China, the birthplace of Wushu, showed its superiority in the game when it gained five golds out of six events on the first day of the 9th World Wushu Championships on Monday.

As the winner of National Championships in 2006, 20-year-old Lin Fan, the only athlete from China in the 30 players taking part in women's Nanquan (southern fist), scored 9.83 points to win the first gold of the tournament.

"It is the first time I take part in the World Championships and I think I displayed my real ability today," said Lin.

Lin's compatriot Zhou Jing took the men's Nanquan title by scoring 9.80, 0.22 points more than the silver medalist Stanislav Galkin of Russia.

"I am kind of proud," said 28-year-old Zhou, winner of the event in National Championships in 2004. "I'm quite nervous since it's my first time to take part in the World Championships, but I did a good job today."

In women's Gunshu (stick play), China's Cao Jing overcame a knee injury to grab the first gold of the night competition with a score of 9.83.

"My knee injury did not affect my performance too much and I performed to my normal," said a beaming Cao.

Just one hour later, Ma Lingjuan triumphed at the women's Qiangshu (spear play) event with 9.83 points to gift China the fourth gold medal.

At the men's Daoshu (broadsword play) field, China's Zhao Qingjian seized the fifth title for the hosts.

The gold medal of men's Qiangshu went to Hei Zhihong from China's Hong Kong with 9.58 points.

In Sanshou (fight), only the first round of both men's and women's competitions were held on Monday.

The 9th World Wushu Championships, which opened on Sunday night at Beijing Olympics Sports Center, attracted a record entry of nearly 1,000 athletes from 89 countries and regions.

In the last Championships in Vietnam 2005, China topped the medal standings with 18 golds among 57 countries and regions.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2007)