Chinese athlete Gao Shuying, who set the Asian record of women's pole vault at 4.52 meters in Beijing last year, took an easy win in the event at the Busan Asian Games with 4.35 meters on Wednesday.

Gao, 23, cleared the height in her second attempt, which was the new Asiad record. But she failed to break her own Asian recordlater.

Gao contributed the fourth gold to the Chinese Asiad athletics team, which put China in lead over other Asian countries and regions in the track and field. Saudi Arabia and India followed China with three golds each.

Gao said, "This is the first time for me to participate in the Asian Games. I am very glad to get this gold medal."

"I was in my normal form today. And I was confident in winning the title." She added.

Gao started training in the track and field in 1994. At the very beginning, she was a heptathlon athlete. But she shifted to the pole vault in the same year.

"I still have to improve my skill in clearing the bar. Today, Ifailed to make a brilliant arc just over the bar. The highest point of my attempt appeared a bit behind the bar." Gao admitted.

"Today, I used a pole which was shorter and softer than the oneI use in trainings because the protection sponge was quite closer to the frame. If I took the long and hard pole, it would hit me." she said.

"Anyway, I felt really great today, and I will certainly attendthe 2004 Athens Olympic Games" she said.

Masumi Ono from Japan jumped over 4.10 meters to take the silver, while Gao's compatriot Qin Xia got the bronze with the mark of 4.00 meters.

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2002)