Guo wins record fourth 3-meter world title

MELBOURNE -- Guo Jingjing won a record fourth 3-meter springboard title at the world championships Sunday, giving China its seventh gold medal.

Guo Jingjing of China competes in the 3-metre springboard diving final at the World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne March 25, 2007. [Reuters]

Guo defeated teammate Wu Minxia to retain the title she first won in 2001 at Fukuoka, Japan. She repeated in Barcelona in 2003, then beat Wu two years ago in Montreal.

Guo became the first diver in world championships history to win four consecutive individual golds. She surpassed the record shared by Americans Greg Louganis and Phil Boggs, who each won three consecutive world titles.

Guo, the Olympic 3-meter champion, finished with 381.75 points.

Wu took the silver for the third time with 368.80. She and Guo are partners in 3-meter synchronized diving, and Wu defeated Guo three times last year at major international meets.

The Chinese are poised to sweep the diving events at Albert Park, with three remaining