Guo Jingjing, China's diving queen, is once again looking to solidify her place as royalty. She is aiming to win a gold or two on the springboard of the upcoming World Swimming Championships. This will be the Olympic champion's 6th world championships in her career.
With 4 golds and 2 silvers from last year's Beijing Olympics under her belt and half a year of commercial deals away from the pool, Guo Jingjing had recently became a mystery figure as nobody knew what her next step would be.
But amidst speculation, which have been flying around since last summer, about the diving queen leaving her career.Guo Jingjing got back on the spring board in recent days, ready to take off, once again.
Perhaps little surprise, given the way she has talked about her love for the sport in the past.
Guo Jingjign said:"Because I love my career.I've been diving for more than 20 years now, and I think that I've developed feelings and great interest for the sport; because each time I get on the spring board,I just feel very, very happy."
There is no mistaking her return now, but Guo Jingjing has changed in one aspect. she had been known to shy away from the media. In the recent national championships where she paired up with old partner Wu Mingxia to win the women's doubles, the diving queen, as usual, showed no emotions what so ever.
This time around, however, things appeared different . Guo Jingjing was all smiles during her training, and was very willing to answer questions thrown at her.
Guo Jingjign said:"Whether it's a big event or small one, or even if there's no competition, we always meet to keep ourselves in good training, so as to get into the mode and mood for competitions."
On the fiercely competitive world stage, Guo Jingjing has reigned supreme. She has kept the title in two events over the last four world championships quite a feat.
It has to make people wonder what's Guo has in store for an encore.
Guo Jingjign said:"We can hardly talk about breaking any record in the sport of diving, unlike those of speed. But all we can do is to do our best in training and bring out our best form in competitions."
And Guo Jingjing will be looking to bring out her best form in the coming World Swimming Championships. She appears ready to hold her place atop her sport and to continue her reign as the "diving queen."
(CCTV July 15, 2009)
