China’s rising talents Huo Liang and Ren Qian were the sensations of the third stage of the FINA Diving Grand Prix 2014, successfully hosted by Gatineau (CAN) on May 1-4. Huo and Ren captured the men’s and women’s 10m platform gold, individual and synchro.
In the men’s 3m springboard, fresh face Peng Jianfeng (CHN) finished on top (510.85 points), leaving the silver for team-mate Li Shixin (486.15) and the minor medal for Mexican Julian Sanchez (471.85). In the 10m platform, Huo (534.35) shared the podium with compatriot Zhang Yanquan (second, 491.95) and American Steele Johnson (third, 474.70).
Among women, China’s young prospect Wei Ying emerged victorious in the 3m springboard (356.30 points) while 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Jennifer Abel (CAN) took second (339.60) and Uschi Freitag (NED), third (332.15). In the 10m platform, 2012 Olympic bronze medallists Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) delighted the home crowd with a silver and bronze medal finish, scoring 373.65 and 365.25 respectively, behind Ren.
In the men’s synchro events, Mexico’s Julian Sanchez / Carlos Moreno took out the 3m synchro while Chinese Zhang Yanquan / Huo Liang were the best in the 10m synchro. In the women’s competition, local hopes Pamela Ware / Jennifer Abel finished first in the 3m synchro while Ren Qian / Ji Siyu of China reached the highest podium in the 10m synchro.
MEDALLISTS IN GATINEAU (CAN)
Men
3m springboard: 1. Peng Jianfeng (CHN) 510.85; 2. Li Shixin (CHN) 486.15; 3. Julian Sanchez (MEX) 471.85
10m platform: 1. Huo Liang (CHN) 534.35; 2. Zhang Yanquan (CHN) 491.95; 3. Steele Johnson (USA) 474.70
3m springboard synchro: 1. Julian Sanchez / Carlos Moreno (MEX) 378.63; 2. Sun Zhiyi / Li Shixin (CHN) 377.70; 3. Haram Woo / Yeongnam Kim (KOR) 365.31
10m platform synchro: 1. Zhang Yanquan / Huo Liang (CHN) 433.11; 2. Jonathan Ruvalcaba / Diego Balleza (MEX) 385.38; 3. Haram Woo / Yeongnam Kim (KOR) 378.42
Women
3m springboard: 1. Wei Ying (CHN) 356.30; 2. Jennifer Abel (CAN) 339.60; 3. Uschi Freitag (NED) 332.15
10m platform: 1. Ren Qian (CHN) 405.15; 2. Roseline Filion (CAN) 373.65; 3. Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) 365.25
3m springboard synchro: 1. Pamela Ware / Jennifer Abel (CAN) 322.71; 2. Chunting Wu / Qulin Zheng (CHN) 305.70; 3. Maren Taylor / Deidre Freeman (USA) 286.80
10m platform synchro: 1. Ren Qian / Ji Siyu (CHN) 332.52; 2. Meaghan Benfeito / Roseline Filion (CAN) 323.67; 3. Giovana Almeida / Ingrid Oliveira (BRA) 275.64
Full FINA Diving Grand Prix 2014 calendar:
No1 in Madrid (ESP) from February 14-16
No2 in Rostock (GER) from February 21-23
No3 in Gatineau (CAN) from May 1-4
No4 in San Juan (PUR) from May 8-11
No5 in Guanajuato (MEX) from May 16-18
No6 in Bolzano (ITA) from August 1-3
No7 in Singapore (SIN) from October 17-19
No8 in Kuala Lumpur (MAS) from October 24-26
Release is courtesy of FINA.