LONDON -- China's defending Olympic champion Chen Ruolin asserted supremacy to win women's platform diving at London Games on Thursday, marking the 200th gold medal for China in the Summer Olympics history.
The 19-year-old Chen led all the way in the final and expanded gap with rivals, edging over silver medalist Australian Brittany Broben with a huge margin of 55.8 points.
Her epic victory made her winner of both individual and synchro platform events at two consecutive Olympic Games, the second diver for such remarkable achievements following legendary Guo Jingjing.
She added the sixth diving gold medal for China out of the seven events.
"I'm very happy and very honoured to take one more gold for China," said the 19-year-old, who earlier grabbed a synchro platform gold with partner Wang Hao.
It marks the 200th gold medal China has claimed in Summer Olympic Games.
Chen said she was fully awared that the hope of the 200th gold lied on her before the competition. But she managed to shrug off the pressure and impressed spectators with her stable performances in all her dives.
A stable and relaxed mindset contributed to Chen's consistency and remarkable results.
"I've participated in many big events and I have learnt from each competition. I was so relaxed in the final as if I were doing a routine training," said Chen, champion of the 2011 Shanghai World Championships.
She said the period between 2009 and 2010 was the toughest for her as she gained weight and had poor conditions in executions and water entries.
"I doubted whether I should keep on or not. My coach (Ren Shaofen)encouraged me to move on and never give up, and I took her advice," Chen said.
"My next target is the 2016 Rio Olympics. I believe everything is possible as long as you have a strong will," she added.
