Born: 1981 (Baoding, Hebei province, China)
Biography:
Guo Jingjing (Chinese: 郭晶晶; pinyin: Guō Jīngjīng) was born on October 15, 1981, in Baoding, Hebei province, China. She is a retired Chinese female diver and a multi-time Olympic gold medalist and world champion. Guo is tied with her partner, Wu Minxia, for winning the most Olympic medals (6) of any female diver. She achieved remarkable success in the 3-meter springboard event, winning five consecutive World Championships.
Guo’s journey in diving began when she was just six years old, as she joined the Baoding Training Base. Recognizing her natural talent and dedication, she started training in competitive diving in 1988 and was selected to dive for the Chinese national team in 1992.
Guo marked her first appearance at the Olympics in 1996. If she had replicated her exceptional performances from other events, such as the 1995 Chinese Nationals, 1995 Dive Canada, or 1996 Chinese Olympic Trials, she would have easily clinched gold ahead of her teammate Fu Mingxia. Unfortunately, she had a disastrous final, missing all five dives and finishing in 5th place. Despite this setback, Guo’s determination remained unshaken.
Under the guidance of her coach, Zhong Shaozhen, Guo persevered and achieved great success during the 2004 Summer Olympics. She won a gold medal in the 3-meter women’s synchronized springboard alongside Wu Minxia before securing her first individual Olympic gold in the 3-meter women’s springboard event.
Following the 2004 Olympics, Guo became a national sports figure in China. She signed endorsement contracts, including one with McDonald’s, and gained tremendous popularity. However, her excessive commercial activities led to a ban from the national team. In order to continue pursuing her diving career, Guo had to relinquish many promotional activities and surrender nearly 4 million dollars she had earned from her endorsements.
Guo Jingjing is widely recognized as the leading member of the Chinese national women’s diving team. In China, she is affectionately known as The Princess of Diving for her grace, skill, and exceptional talent in the sport. Throughout her career, she represented China in numerous international competitions, consistently demonstrating her technical prowess and composed performances.
On November 23, 2006, Guo announced her retirement plans, with the intention of retiring following the 2008 Summer Olympics. However, she was determined to make her last Olympic appearance a memorable one. At the 2008 Games in Beijing, Guo won two more gold medals, cementing her place as the most decorated female Olympic diver. She also joined the ranks of legendary divers Fu Mingxia, Pat McCormick, and Greg Louganis by winning a total of four gold medals.
In the women’s 3-meter springboard event, Guo captivated the audience with her skills and received a total score of 415.35 points, securing the gold medal. Yuliya Pakhalina of Russia earned the silver medal with a score of 398.60, while Wu Minxia claimed the bronze with 389.85.
Throughout her career, Guo Jingjing’s achievements have solidified her place in diving history. Her dedication, talent, and unwavering focus on success have made her an inspiration to aspiring divers and athletes worldwide. Guo’s impact is not only felt within the sporting realm but also in Chinese society, where she is revered as a symbol of excellence and a trailblazer for women in sports.
Awards:
– Olympic gold medals (6)
– World Championship gold medals (5)
– Most decorated female Olympic diver
– Tied record for most gold medals with Fu Mingxia, Pat McCormick, and Greg Louganis.