Chen Zhong, from China, displays her gold medal after defeating Myriam Baverel, from France, in women's over 67kg taekwondo at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Aug 29, 2004. (AP)

China's Chen Zhong delivered Chinese delegation a perfect happy ending Sunday, winning its 32nd and final gold at the Athens Games in defending her Olympic title in taekwondo women's over 67kg class.

Chen, in Athens, repeated her feat of bringing one more gold to the glory of the sports powerhouse on the final day at Sydney 2000 when she made history by claiming the delegation's first ever Olympic taekwondo gold.

In the women's final, the 21-year-old Chen beat Myriam Baverel of France 12-5. Baverel, a 23-year-old German language teacher, finished second in the middle weight 67-72kg at the World Championships 2003, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

"I'm delighted to win this gold," an exciting Chen told reporters. "I've invested much more effort into winning this consecutive title at Olympics."

Chen was injured on foot in the third round of the final and tumbled on the platform at one point.

"That (injury) didn't have much effects on my performances," Chen said. "I held on to win the match."

In the final, Chen employed a tactic of striking later to expand her winning turf, scoring two points in round one, four points in round two and six in three.

She waved the Chinese national flag to the cheering spectators in the Sports Pavilion, the Olympic competition venue, after hugging her coach, Chen Liren, in exaltation .

Earlier the day, Chen kept her winning run by defeating Silva of Brazil 8-5 in semifinal and Adriana Carmona of Venezuela 7-5 in quarterfinal.

During the semifinal, Chen, who earned her Olympic gold in the same category in Sydney, fought a close round one but prevailed inround two and three, scoring one points, four points and three points, respectively.

At one point in round three, the 30-year-old Silva struck Chen's head and earned a much coveted two points. But Chen's later strong showing proved that was only a temporary surprise.

In the quarterfinal, Chen kept a steady pace throughout the three rounds and prevailed, scoring two points in round one, two points in round two and four in three.

But she had one point deducted after receiving two kyong-gos (warning penalties).

Chen defeated Yoriko Okamoto of Japan 7-5 to progress into the quarterfinal earlier Sunday.

(Agencies)

taekwondo :（跆拳道）

exaltation: a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion（興奮）