Chinese world and Olympic champion Guo Jingjing launched her first step to defend her title in three-meter springboard at the Beijing Olympic Games as she finished first on Friday's preliminary.

Guo, who just claimed gold in the 3m springboard synchronized gold with fellow Wu Minxia on August 10, finished first in the preliminary to collect 373.90 points.

Julia Pakhalina, winner of the 3m springboard synchro in 2000 Sydney Olympics and bronze medallist of the 3m springboard at the Athens Olympics, took the second in 358.15. The Russian had been the first in the third and fourth rounds, but Guo surpassed her in the last round.

Blythe Hartley of Canada, winner of the 1m springboard at 2001 and 2005 World Championships, finished third at 350.60.

Wu Minxia, 22, finished runner-up to Guo at Athens and the world championships in 2005 and 2007, took the fourth place in the preliminary in 349.45.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)