China take last two diving golds to top medal standings at Kazan worlds
Xinhua, August 3, 2015 Adjust font size:
Chinese divers swept the last two events as Qiu Bo made a golden treble on the men's 10m platform while Wang Han/Yang Hao snatched the gold in the mixed 3m synchro springboard at the FINA Swimming World Championships here on Sunday.
China dominated on the medal standings with a total of 15 medals, including 10 golds, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes. Britain came to second in 1-0-3-4 and Italy third 1-0-2-3. DPR Korea finished fourth 1-0-1-2.
In the mixed 3m synchro springboard, Wang/Yang took a comfortable victory with 339.90 points, beating Jennifer Abel/Francois Imbeau-Dulac of Canada into second at 317.01 and Tania Cagnotto/Maicol Verzotto of Italy third with 315.30.
"It was my first world title. I had two silvers from 1m in 2011 and 3m in 2013, and two bronzes in 1m in 2009 and 2013. Yang and I started to team up since early in the year and we trained more often during the training camp for the World Championships. Our event was held in the last day that made us a little bit rusty, but it all depended on our mind-set. We really did not expect to win the event as every athlete wants to win the gold medal. But the most important thing is to do our best, " Wang said.
In the last diving event, defending champion Qiu Bo proved his reputation on the men's 10m platform as he ruled the event for the third consecutive time.
Qiu scored over 100 points for his two dives and won the title in 587.00, beating London Olympic champion David Boudia of the United States at 560.20 and Thomas Daley at 537.95.
Yang Jian, who followed Qiu in the semifinals, suffered from big blows in the final and finished 10th among 12 finalists.
"It was a tough battle tonight because everyone performed very well. I just showed my normal form, not my best because my training before the Worlds was not as good as my teammate Yang Jian," said Qiu.
"The most important for my victory was no big mistakes, though I had some small errors. I always have a dream which is to stand on the top of the podium at the Olympic Games. This world title will encourage me to reach my dream step by step. I love the local audience and enjoy the competition atmosphere," Qiu said. Endi