Chen Zhong bites her medal after winning over her opponent Evgeniya Karimova of Uzbekistan during the women's +72kg final of taekwondo at Doha Asiad, Qatar, Dec. 10, 2006. Chen won the gold medal in the event. (Xinhua Photo/Chen Xie)

Olympic champion Chen Zhong clinched the third gold medal for China in the women's over 72kg taekwondo competition as she beat Evgeniya Karimova of Uzbekistan 4-0 at theAsian Games here on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Chen, who suffered knee injury and took the operation last year, showed no hesitation in the final as she attacked more actively than her rival.

Chen Zhong (blue) of China gives a kick to her opponent Amalia Kurniasih Palupi of Indonesia during the women's +72kg semifinal taekwondo at Doha Asiad, Qatar, Dec. 10, 2006. Chen defeated Palupi and won the gold medal in the final. (Xinhua Photo/Luo Gengqian)

Chen and the 17-year-old Karimova attempted to defend from eachother and neither of them got scores in the first two sets.

Chen, the gold medal winner in the Athens and Sydney Olympics in the over 67kg, kicked Karimova's head in the third set to take the lead 2-0.

Karimova tried to reply later but could not find any opportunities to challenge Chen. Chen continued to kick effectively and won two scores in a row to finish her tour in Dohawith her first gold at the Asiad.

Chen Zhong (red) of China gives a kick to her opponent Nadin Dawani of Jordan during the women's +72kg quarterfinal of taekwondo at Doha Asiad, Qatar, Dec. 10, 2006. (Xinhua Photo/Luo Gengqian)

"I think my performance today is perfect, and I am so excited to win my first Asian Games gold medal. It is also very important for me," Chen said after the competition.

"I made good use of my advantage in tactics and strategy. That's why I could win," she added.

"I am only 17 years old and this silver made me more determinedto win more medals in the future," Karimova said.

"Though Chen is an Olympic champion, I was not scared of her atall in the final," she added.

Though capping the Olympic gold in the pocket, Chen took the bronze medal in the 1998 Bangkok Asiad and the silver in the 2002 Busan Asiad.

The bronze medals on Sunday went to Afsaneh Sheikhi of Iran andAmalia Kurniasih Palupi of Indonesia.

Editor: Donald