Swimming star Jiao eyes butterfly gold at London Olympics

China's Jiao Liuyang cheers after winning her gold medal in the women's 200m butterfly swimming event at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Nov 15, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

GUANGZHOU - Beijing Olympic 200 meters butterfly runner-up Jiao Liuyang revealed her dream of making top podium finish at 2012 London Olympic Games on Monday.

The 19-year-old Jiao, bronze medallist of the 100m fly at 2009 Rome Worlds where she also set a new Asian record, smoothly claimed her third title at the on-going Guangzhou Asian Games, dashing out in  the final lap of women's 200m fly event, pulling off the gold in two minutes and 5.79 seconds.

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Her arch rival Natusumi Hoshi took silver in 2:07.96, while South Korean Choi Hye Ra took a bronze in 2:08.39.

"In fact, I am not satisfied with time today," said Jiao. "The result maybe good enough for the Asian events but not for the world level competition."

"I am not in my best shape because I didn't rest enough," she said.

Jiao is one of the most hopeful swimmers in the event in China as well as Olympic champion Liu Zige, who is also her biggest rival.

Jiao has long for an Olympic gold since Beijing Olympic Games two years ago, where she made a strong performance and broke the former world record but still lost to her teammate Liu Zige by 0.54 second.

Although the teenager said she was really satisfied with her result, she seemed upset and did cry in front of her coach after the press conference.

After the Beijing Olympic Games, Jiao trained even harder. She claimed a bronze medal for China in the 100m butterfly at 2009 Rome world championships.

This time in Guangzhou, with Liu's absence, Jiao took completely dominance of the butterfly events.

She led the 100m butterfly final on Saturday to claim her first gold here and shortly after that she led the Chinese team to lift the women's 4x100m medley relay.

"I will do my best to take part in the London Olympic Games, and I hope I can win a gold medal there," she said.

Asked about her old rival Liu, Jiao said: "I can't say whether I can beat Liu Zige at the Asian Games because she's not here, but no matter who I compete with, I will do my best."

Jiao will also take part in the 50m butterfly on Thursday.

"Now I am concerned about the 50m butterfly because I am not fast enough in that event," she said. "It's possible that I will not win the gold."

Jiao Liuyang of China salutes after reciving her gold medal in the women's 200m butterfly swimming event at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Nov 15, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]