China grabs three more golds in FINA Diving World Series in Beijing
Xinhua, March 12, 2016 Adjust font size:
Poor dives and below-par forms did not stop Chinese divers' winning streak when Shi Tingmao, Cao Yuan and Wang Han/Yang Hao continued to claim three titles on the second day of the FINA/NVC Diving World Series 2016 here on Saturday.
Host China so far collected all the seven gold medals on offer from the three-day World Series at the National Aquatics Center, the "Water Cube".
Though suffered from poor fourth dive and her worst performance of the international appearance, Shi Tingmao, current world champion and World Cup winner, confirmed her supremacy in her favorite 3m springboard and won the title in 348.10 points. He Zi came to second with 338.10 and Pemela Ware of Canada third in 322.15.
Shi enjoyed her lead from the first three rounds before her fourth dive 107B which received the lowest points of the round 49.60.
"It should be the worst performance of my career when I grew up. I had a big mistake in my 107B which was always my weak point during training sessions. I did not expect to make this mistake in the international event. It is a good lesson for me," Shi said.
He, who suffered from her chronic waist injury in the first dive, fought until the last round and secured a silver medal.
"I pushed too hard in my first dive that made my waist injury got worse that I could not stand up straight after that dive. But I never thought about to quit the competition. It would never, ever happen to me. I need to experience this kind of situation and overcome all the difficulties and challenges. The preparation of the Olympic Games is a great process to help me become stronger in mind. I hope all the efforts will paid off," said He, who claimed the women's 3m synchro springboard title together with Wang Han on Friday.
Cao Yuan and He Chao had a one-two finish in the men's 3m springboard in 498.05 and 472.40 while Evgenii Kuznetsov of Russia took the bronze with 466.20.
Cao, who teamed with Qin Kai for the synchro 3m springboard last day, took the lead after his third dive 307C and earned a high score 93.10 for his last 109C.
"I did not show my best form today and my score was even lower than 500 points. However, I really enjoy the victory in the individual event that I did not win in individual for a long time. I wish I could regain the winning form from now on and make more improvement," Cao said.
He, world champion in Kazan World Championships 2015and FINA Best Male Diver of the Year, overcame his high fever of 38.4 centigrade and poor 5172B and 307C. Fortunately, He's last dive 109C helped him coming back from behind to the second place for a day-high 95 points.
"It is the first time I compete with a high fever that I could not switch myself into good form. I felt lucky to win a silver. It is good that I experience different situation during the competition. Since I am young, I need to gain more experience and confidence," He said.
China's Wang Han/Yang Hao collected 327.60 to win the mixed 3m synchro springboard, followed by Jennifer Abel/Francois Imbeau-Dulac of Canada 294.24 and Tania Cagnotto/Maicol Verzotto of Italy 289.20.
A total of 67 international divers, 34 women and 33 men, from 12 countries and regions take part in the World Series in Beijing.
There are 10 events at the four-leg circuit World Series, including four individual events and six sycnhro in the men's and women's 3m springboard and 10m platform. Endit