claimed China's first gold of the world swimming championships when she won the women's 100 metres breaststroke on Monday. The 17-year-old East Asia champion established a clear lead on the first length and denied Australian Olympic silver medallist Leisel Jones down the return length of the 50-metre Marine Messe indoor pool.
Luo won in a championship record one minute 7.18 seconds, with Jones taking the silver in 1:07.96 and world and Olympic 200 metres breaststroke champion Agnes Kovacs of Hungary bronze in 1:08.50, a 0.02 seconds ahead of South Africa's Sarah Poewe.
A devastated Jones was led away from the pool deck in tears.
Olympic champion Megan Quann and defending champion Kristy Kowal, the U.S. standard-bearers, were beaten into fifth and sixth places respectively.
Swimming-Breaststroke champion Luo ready for more (2004-08-16)China's Luo completes medal treble at swimming worlds (2001-07-28)China's Luo wins breaststroke gold at world championships (2001-07-24)5 (11285)
