Beijing’s ‘Water Cube’ provided the backdrop to spectacular performances during the opening leg of the FINA/NVC Diving World Series 2015, organised from March 15-17. The superb venue welcomed more than 60 of the best divers in action from 13 countries.
It was an expected show of strength by China, the traditional diving powerhouse, whose 13-strong squad blitzed to win all ten titles on offer, including the newly-featured mixed 3m and 10m synchro events.
In a thrilling men’s 10m platform final, Yang Jian of China beat U.S. Olympic champion David Boudia with a total score of 587.40 (against Boudia’s 534.70). Germany’s World medallist Sascha Klein captured the bronze (522.40) just 0.20 ahead of reigning World champion Qiu Bo (CHN), who finished at the podium’s door.
China’s He Chong and Cao Yuan finished 1-2 in the men’s 3m springboard, with a total 551.50 and 542.70 points, respectively. German Patrick Hausding completed the podium with 520.00 points. Cao paired with Qin Kai in the 3m synchro to win with a total 442.41, besting the Russian and German pairs.
Among women, World champion in 3m synchro Shi Tingmao (CHN) was untouchable in the 3m springboard, totalling 389.60 points to beat synchro partner and current World champion in the event He Zi, second with 372.90. Canadian Pamela Ware took the minor medal with 335.25 points. Shi combined with Olympic champion Wu Minxia to take out the 3m synchro event ahead of Australia and Great Britain.
In the 10m platform, World champions Liu Huixia and Chen Ruolin performed brilliantly to place 1-2, with respective scores of 423.10 and 398.90. Canadian Meaghan Benfeito claimed the bronze with a total 393.45. In the 10m synchro, the Chinese paired together to take top spot ahead of the Malaysian and Canadian pairs.
The 2015 FINA/NVC Diving World Series’ next stop is Dubai (UAE) from March 19-21.
MEDALLISTS IN BEIJING
MEN
3m springboard: 1. He Chong (CHN) 551.50; 2. Cao Yuan (CHN) 542.70; 3. Patrick Hausding (GER) 520.00
10m platform: 1. Yang Jian (CHN) 587.40; 2. David Boudia (USA) 534.70; 3. Sascha Klein (GER) 522.40
3m springboard synchro: 1. Cao Yuan/Qin Kai (CHN) 442.41; 2. Evgeny Kuznetsov/Ilya Zakharov (RUS) 417.30; 3. Stephan Feck/Patrick Hausding (GER) 406.29
10m platform synchro: 1. Chen Aisen/Lin Yue (CHN) 486.75; 2. Patrick Hausding/Sascha Klein (GER) 410.28; 3. Ivan Garcia/German Sanchez (MEX) 393.39
WOMEN
3m springboard: 1. Shi Tingmao (CHN) 389.60; 2. He Zi (CHN) 372.90; 3. Pamela Ware (CAN) 335.25
10m platform: 1. Liu Huixia (CHN) 423.10; 2. Chen Ruolin (CHN) 398.90; 3. Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) 393.45
3m springboard synchro: 1. Wu Minxia/Shi Tingmao (CHN) 328.50; 2. Maddison Keeney/Annabelle Smith (AUS) 299.55; 3. Alicia Blagg/Rebecca Gallantree (GBR) 293.40
10m platform synchro: 1. Chen Ruolin/Liu Huixia (CHN) 345.36; 2. Mun Yee Leong/Jun Hoong Cheong (MAS) 320.28; 3. Meaghan Benfeito/Roseline Filion (CAN) 310.86
MIXED EVENTS
3m springboard synchro: 1. He Zi/Chen Aisen (CHN) 330.00; 2. Jennifer Abel/François Imbeau-Dulac (CAN) 319.71; 3. Dolores Hernandez/Rommel Pacheco (MEX) 293.10
10m platform synchro: 1. Lian Jie/Tai Xiaohu (CHN) 350.04; 2. Meaghan Benfeito/Vincent Riendeau (CAN) 330.06; 3. Paola Espinosa/Jahir Ocampo (MEX) 320.46
Diving News is courtesy of FINA.