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China grabs four synchro golds at FINA Diving World Series in Beijing

Xinhua, March 3, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Chinese divers snatch four synchro titles while Russia took three bronzes at the FINA/NVC Diving World Series 2017 at the National Aquatics Center, the "Water Cube" on Friday.

Chen Qian/Chang Yani, both 16 years old, won the women's 10m synchro platform with a winning mark of 340.26 points. Pamg Pandelela/Cheong Jun Hoong of Malaysia came second with 316.08 and Kim Kuk Hyang/Kim Mi Rae from DPR Korea took the bronze medal in 313.92.

As a Rio Olympic champion, Ren Qian was awarded as the "best rookie" by CCTV Sports Personality of the Year 2016. Now she is no longer a rookie in the women's 10m synchro platform as she paired with her new and younger partner Chang Yani.

"I feel relaxed today and we are lucky to win this title. We have only trained together for two months and we will still work on our synchronization," said Chen.

Chen Aisen/Lin Hao met no challenges in the men's 10m synchro platform, scoring 488.85 points for the gold medal. Patrick Hausding/Sascha Klein from Germany ranked second with 419.10 and Russian Viktor Minibaev/Aleksandr Bondar came third at 415.50.

"I used to paired with Lin Yue, now I have a new partner Lin Hao and it brings more pressure on me. However we will maintain our good form and our goal is the World Championship," said Chen.

British star Thomas Daley scored 409.59 with his partner Denial Goodfellow and he said he was quite satisfied with the results.

"It is the first time since the Olympic Games that we take part in competitions together. Since it is the first time, it's not too bad, but could be better. I will take part in mixed 3m synchro springboard tomorrow and I am happy for what I have achieved today because I haven't trained for a long time. I am not yet in my best form and I will try to get better grades in World Championships in July," said Thomas Daley.

World champion Shi Tingmao paired with Xu Zhihuan to dominate the women's 3m synchro springboard, scoring 319.20. Maddison Keeney/Anabelle Smith of Australia finished second with 298.68 and Kristina Ilinykh/Nedezhda Bazhina of Russia took the bronze medal at 294.00.

"I don't think we performed our best in the competition, we will communicate more in our personal skills and synchronization. Olympic title is just a history for me, we should train harder, in spite of all the difficulties and challeges," Shi Tingmao said.

Her new partner Xu Zhihuan was excited to step in the "Water Cube", "I was impressed by the National Aquatics Center, water temperature is fine, everything is fine. All I have to do is to hone my skills."

In 2016 Rio Olympics, men's 3m synchro springboard is the only title that China missed, but today's champion is Cao Yuan/Xie Siyi from China, scoring 450.39. Rio champions Jack Laugher/Chris Mears from Britain won silver at 427.98 points. Russian divers Illia Zakharov/Evgenii Kuznetsov ranked third with 419.25.

"We didn't choose dives of high degree of difficulty in order to avoid fault. Jack Laugher and Chris Mears have paired together for a long time, since we teamed up for only one month, it is a new start for both of us." Cao said.

"After last year's Olympic Games, I had a long holiday of more than two months, no training, no exercises, no diving. Our life did change a little bit since the Olympics, but it also brought us confidence. We will work harder to make sure we are in good form," said Jack Laugher.

The FINA Diving World Series is a high-profile competition which offers an annual meeting opportunity for the world's top divers.

The Beijing stop, the first stop of the series this year, will attract a total of 70 divers from 15 countries and regions. Enditem