Cheng Fei entered the women's vault final as the most decorated competitor on this apparatus.

Cheng's challenge came from DPR Korean Hong Su Jong and Hong Un Jong who have been consistent in 2006 and finished second and third with 15.237 and 14.962 points respectively.

Cheng's first vault earn her only 15.175 points, lower than Hong Su Jong's 15.500, but the world champion just made the gap up by scoring 15.600 points with her signature action against Hong's 14.975 to pocket the gold medal.

"I don't think I performed very well today. The two DPR Korean gymnasts are improving on vault and posing a threat on me, but their accuracy is still not that good by now," Cheng said.

"Next I will have some training on the other apparatus and develop me into a all-around gymnast in the future. The specific training plan will be arranged by the coaches,"

"Each gold is something valuable for me and I will try my best to win. The vault is becoming an apparatus of high competition, so I need to do the best if I want to win," added Cheng.

Cheng is dynamite on the vault, attacking the apparatus with the speed and power needed to get height and distance from the horse. She won the last consecutive world titles with her signature vault, the Cheng Fei vault, which requires superb twisting to land successfully.

Cheng was consistent on vault during qualification earning 15.500 and 15.000 for her two attempts, but will be looking to push above 16.000 to continue her dominance on this apparatus.

Cheng has dominated the World Cup circuit, winning two golds and two bronzes in the 2005-06 season.

Prior to the introduction of the vaulting table used in this competition, China struggled on the apparatus. Over the last few years, China have worked hard to improve their results on vault with Cheng the perfect example of the new-look Chinese team on the vault.

DPR Korean vault sensations Hong Su Jong and Hong Un Jong qualified in second and third respectively for this final. Both are accomplished vaulters who possess the power to elevate from the horse, gaining maximum height.

Hong Su Jong won a bronze medal during Monday's women's all-around, where she earned a 14.900 for her single vault. She finished seventh on vault at this year's world championships in Aarhus, Denmark.