Chinese world and Olympic champion Guo Jingjing took the limelight at the Water Cube as she finished first in the women's 3m springboard semi-final at the Beijing Olympic Games on Saturday.

Guo, who just claimed the gold in the 3m springboard synchronized with Wu Minxia on Aug. 10, finished first in the semifinal by collecting 398.55 points.

Julia Pakhalina, winner of the 3m springboard synchro in 2000 Sydney Olympics and bronze medallist of the 3m springboard at the Athens Olympics, trailed Guo for the second in 383.50.

Wu Minxia, 22, runner-up to Guo at Athens and the world championships in 2005 and 2007, ranked third in the semifinal in 345.30.

Blythe Hartley of Canada, winner of the 1m springboard at 2001 and 2005 World Championships, was eighth at 324.60.

Source: Xinhua