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)