Despite a mistake in his second dive, China's Olympic champion He Chong defended his title in the men's 3 meters springboard at the Asian Games here on Thursday.

He had a splashy entry for his second dive 307C (reverse 3 1/2 somersault) and earned 73.50 points which dropped him to third place.

However, he came back in his next four dives and collected a day-high 99.45 for his 5156B (forward 2 1/2 somersault 3 twists), winning 525.85 followed by fellow Luo Yutong 503.15 and Yeoh Ken Nee of Malaysia 439.45.

The 23-year-old He, torch lighter at the Asian Games opening ceremony, said: "I was in a poor shape during these days. I had a fever for one week, and practiced the torch lighting for three days before the competitions. I was lack of training so that I could not find my normal dives."

"I was nervous in front of the full-house home crowds that reminded me of the Beijing Olympic Games. I won a hard battle of my own. That's great experience for me," said the Olympic champion.

Earlier in the women's 10m platform final, the 14-year-old Hu Yadan overshadowed her teammate Wang Hao to lift the women's 10m platform crown in 436.70, collecting 7 perfect marks from her 5 dives. Wang Hao came second in 426.10 while Malaysia's Rinong Pandelela was third.

Hu said: "It is my first Asian Games. I'm happy I can always show my best in the competitions. The more audience, more cheers and stronger rivals make me really exciting."

"My fourth dive was not satisfactory since Wang Hao scored a 10 points just in front of me. It made me a little bit nervous," Hu said.

The women's 3m springboard and men's 10m platform will take place on Nov. 26.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2010)