World champion taekwondist Wu Jingyu re-asserted her winning credentials Tuesday with another convincing victory in the Chinese capital.
Wu, one of a handful of China's Olympic medal prospects in the predominantly kicking sport, outscored Swede Hanna Zajc 5-1 to win the under-49kg class at the "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 Taekwondo International Invitational Tournament held at the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium.
The 21-year-old from Jiangxi Province, who also captured a gold medal at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, said her latest win holds her in better stead for Beijing 2008.
"The tournament was a tune-up for the Beijing Games," she said. "I came here to learn more about the venue and to experience the atmosphere. All the things I learned will be invaluable for my Olympic preparations."
Her sheer kicking power will also have set alarm bells ringing among the opposition.
Wu claimed the title bout with a decisive high kick to the head in the final round that sent Zaic crashing to the mat. Although the pair entered the round tied at 1-1, Wu unleashed a fearsome arsenal to turn the tables and steal four straight points. The head kick proved the final nail - even earning Wu a bonus point for its intensity.
"I know it was a hard kick," she said later. "Maybe a little too hard."
Her win also confirms her lead role in the Chinese team, which is gunning for at least two gold medals in the South Korea-originated sport at the Olympics in August.
China has netted three Olympic golds in taekwondo since Sydney 2000 - all won by women in the heavier weight classes.
But the country is only allowed to send two female taekwondists to the Olympics due to limited quotas, and former Olympic champions Chen Zhong and Luo Wei have shown they are as hungry as ever to compete.
However, Wu's achievements have prompted the Chinese Taekwondo Association to gamble this year on the lighter under-49kg class instead of the under-67kg, in which Luo won her gold at the 2004 Athens Games.
Double gold medal-winner Chen (over-67kg) is considered a sure thing for the other berth.
Wu admitted she is suffering a slower-than-expected start this season but is hopeful all the pieces will fall into place before summer.
"I need to work on my rhythm," she said.
