ATHENS, Aug. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- China's Chen Zhong, reigning Olympic champion, kept her winning run in taekwondo women's 67kg-plus class at Athens Olympics Sunday, advancing into final after defeating Natalia Silva of Brazil 8-5.

    Chen is to meet Myriam Baverel of France, who scored five points in three rounds but had two points deducted after receivingfour kyong-gos (warning penalties) in beating Nadin Dawani of Jordan 3-3 in another semifinal.

    Chen, who earned an Olympic gold in the same category at Sydney2000, fought a close round one but prevailed in round two and three, scoring one points, four points and three points, respectively.

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

    Chen cruised into the match after beating Adriana Carmona of Venezuela 7-5 in the quarterfinals earlier the day.

    During the quarterfinal, Chen kept a steady pace throughout thethree 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, defeating Yoriko Okamoto of Japan 7-5 to progress into the quarterfinal Sunday.

    The 31-year-old Carmona, who had finished fifth in the heavyweight over 70kg at World Championships in 2003, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, won by superiority 8-8 over Sarah Stevenson of Britain.

    The program of the final day of Olympic taekwondo competitions features the women's over 67kg division and men's over 80kg, with top athletes from all over the world providing a spectacular finale. Enditem