China secured three gold medals Friday at the ongoing Beijing 2008 Wushu Tournament, which kicked off on Thursday in this Olympic host city.

Lin Fan in competition. [Xinhua]

Lin Fan ranked first in women's Nanquan and Nandao combined competition, followed by Japanese athlete Kojima Erika and Bong Siong Lin. Diana from Malaysia.

"I didn't feel nervous at all. I just have one thought, and that is to show my real talent and the best part of the Chinese Wushu to the world," Lin told a press conference after the competition.

The 19-year-old Japanese silver medallist said she had practiced Wushu for seven years, in an effort to make Chinese Wushu more popular in her home country.

Willy Wang, from the Philippines, grabbed the first gold medal for his country in men's Nanquan and Nangun combined in the evening. Peng Wei-chua from Chinese Taipei and Pui Fook Chien from Malaysia finished second and third respectively.

Peng said he felt at home during the whole event, and thanked the spectators for their strong support.

"A silver medal is a good ending for my Wushu career. I'll try to become a referee in Taiwan to continue my Wushu dream," he told reporters.

Two other gold medals for men's Changquan and women's Jianshu and Qiangshu combined on offer Friday went to Chinese athletes Yuan Xiaochao and Ma Lingjuan in the morning session.

Russian athlete Udelov Semen won the silver medal and Peyghambari Ehsan from Iran was the bronze winner of men's Chuangquan.

Han Jing from Macau and Nguyen Mai Phuong from Vietnam secured the second and third places respectively of women's Jianshu and Qiangshu combined.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge presented medals to the three winners of women's Jianshu and Qiangshu combined Friday morning. His presence to this non-Olympic sports event aroused strong applause from the audience.

So far, China has grabbed four gold medals, followed by Russia holding one gold and one silver, and the Philippines with one gold.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2008)