Press Releases

PR 39 - Diving Grand Prix: Brazil and Colombia clinch first title in San Juan

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:31:04 GMT

Lausanne (SUI), May 21, 2013 – Brazil’s Cesar Castro and Colombians Cristian Aragon and Miguel Reyes Abadia were the only non-Chinese winners at the fifth leg of the FINA Diving Grand Prix 2013 held in San Juan (PUR) from May 16-19. Castro finished first in the men’s 3m springboard while the Colombian pair took out the men’s 3m synchro, putting an end to China’s unbeaten streak in men’s events in this year’s Grand Prix season.

Once again, China’s rising talents occupied the majority of the podium with six gold and three silver medals. Up-and-coming divers from Austria, Canada, Netherlands and the United States also produced fine performances, many making their podium debut in San Juan.

Austria’s Constantin Blaha claimed bronze in the men’s 3m springboard, behind Castro and Zhiyi Sun from China. After picking up silver with teammate Maxim Bouchard in the men’s 10m synchro, Philippe Gagne from Canada completed the podium in the men’s 10m platform. American divers showed talent in the synchro events with a silver medal finish for Gayson Campbell and Christopher Law (3m) and a bronze for David Dinsmore and Law (10m).

Among women, China’s Qu Lin and Jie Lian had two wins each, in the 3m springboard (with Zhang Jun) and 10m platform (with Xiaohui Huang) individual and synchro, respectively. Emma Friesen from Canada took second in the 3m springboard while Dutch Inge Jansen was the owner of two medals – bronze in the 3m springboard individual and silver in the 3m synchro with Celine van Duijn. American Eszter Pryor was double bronze medallist – in 10m platform and 3m synchro with Madison Witt.

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PR 38 - DWS Guadalajara 2013: Mexicans withstand Chinese dominance and pocket 3 titles

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:19:22 GMT

Lausanne (SUI), May 20, 2013 – The host delegation exhibited their prowess in the penultimate stage of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2013 held in Guadalajara (MEX) from May 17-19, snatching a historic three titles in the men’s 3m springboard individual and synchro, and men’s 10m platform synchro (picking up also two silver and two bronze medals).

Diving powerhouse China claimed the remaining five titles at stake, walking away with a total tally of 9 medals (five gold, three silver and one bronze). Other countries to climb the podium in Guadalajara were Canada, Cuba, Great Britain, Malaysia and Russia.

In the men’s competition, it was a hard-fought Chinese-Mexican affair. Home favourite Yahel Castillo took out the men’s 3m springboard and the 3m synchro event with teammate Daniel Islas, beating China’s Shixin Li (second) and Chao He (third), who combined together in the synchro event, settling for silver. In the 10m platform, 2012 Olympic silver medallist Qiu Bo from China won comfortably, besting locals Ivan Garcia (second) and German Sanchez (third). Garcia and Sanchez, 2012 Olympic silver medallists, triumphed in the 10m synchro event, outscoring the Russian and Cuban pairs.

In the women’s field, China remained unchallenged. 2012 Olympic silver medallist Zi He (CHN) emerged victorious in the 3m springboard and repeated her winning performance with teammate Han Wang in the 3m synchro event. Mexico’s Laura Sanchez, 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, took second in the 3m springboard while 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Jennifer Abel from Canada placed third. In the 10m platform, Chinese Huixia Liu clinched her first Diving World Series crown, finishing ahead of teammate Yajie Si (second) and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Roseline Filion from Canada (third). The two Chinese paired to win the 10m synchro event, leaving silver for the Malaysians and bronze for the British.

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PR 37 - World League, Asia/Oceania prelims: Australia, China and Japan on way to Super Final

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:55:39 GMT

Lausanne (SUI), May 14, 2013 – The men’s and women’s Asia/Oceania preliminary tournaments of the FINA Water Polo World League 2013 were held in Auckland (NZL) from May 9-14.

In the women's field, 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Australia and 2011 World silver medallist China finished 1-2 of the rankings. Australia totalled five victories while China walked away with four wins and one loss. In round 1, Australia edged China by a tight score of 15-13 before imposing a harsh 17-7 defeat to the Asian squad in round 4.

China was the easy winner of the men’s competition, remaining unbeaten in all four games. Runner-up Japan, whose team totalled six points, also secured a Super Final spot. In the last game, China crushed the home squad, New Zealand, 14-7.

Australia and China (as host) join Hungary, Italy, Russia and Spain, whose squads have also qualified for the women's Super Final taking place in Beijing (CHN) from June 1-6, 2013.

China and Japan will join European qualifiers Hungary, Montenegro, Russia (as host) and Serbia in the men's Super Final scheduled in Chelyabinsk (RUS) from June 11-16, 2013.

The remaining two men’s and women’s teams to take part in the Super Final will be decided at the end of the Americas preliminaries, starting May 24 in Los Alamitos (USA).

Final rankings Asia/Oceania (women):

1. AUS, 17 pts (6 wins); 2. CHN, 13 (4W, 2L); 3. NZL, 5 (2W, 4L); 4. JPN, 1 (6L)

Final rankings Asia/Oceania (men):

1. CHN, 12 pts (4W); 2. JPN, 6 (2W, 2L); 3. NZL, 0 (4L)

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PR 36 - DGP 2013: China bags eight gold medals on offer in Fort Lauderdale (USA)

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:50 GMT

Lausanne (SUI), May 13, 2013 – Chinese divers blitzed to win 11 medals, including the eight gold on offer, at the fourth meet of the FINA Diving Grand Prix 2013, organised in Fort Lauderdale (USA), from May 9-12. Other nations to climb the podium in Florida were Colombia, Germany, Great Britain, Malaysia, Mexico, Ukraine and the United States.

In the men’s field, China’s rising talent Chao He took out the 3m springboard, besting 2012 Olympic bronze medallist in 3m synchro Troy Dumais (USA, second) and teammate Zhiyi Sun (third). In the platform event, 2012 Olympic champion in 10m synchro Yanquan Zhang added another gold medal to his name, beating 2012 Olympic champion in the 10m individual event David Boudia (USA) and Oleksandr Bondar (UKR), second and third, respectively.
Among women, China’s diving prospect Zhang Jun obtained the first crown of her career in the 3m springboard, ahead of compatriot Jiao Liu (second) and Tina Punzel (GER, third). Jun also reached the highest podium with teammate Lin Qu in the 3m synchro. Jie Lian completed China’s golden sweep by winning the 10m platform. Teammate Xiaohui Huang and Julia Prokopchuk (UKR) finished in second and third place, respectively.

MEDALLISTS IN FORT LAUDERDALE (USA)

MEN
3m springboard: 1. Chao He (CHN) 533.25; 2. Troy Dumais (USA) 474.50; 3. Zhiyi Sun (CHN) 462.90
10m platform: 1. Yanquan Zhang (CHN) 521.00; 2. David Boudia (USA) 518.60; 3. Oleksandr Bondar (UKR) 507.50
3m springboard synchro: 1. Chao He / Shixin Li (CHN) 430.38; 2. Oleksiy Prygorov / Illya Kvasha (UKR) 428.37; 3. Rommel Pacheco / Jahir Ocampo (MEX) 394.32
10m platform synchro: 1. Huo Liang / Jian Yang (CHN) 460.77; 2. Patrick Hausding / Sascha Klein (GER) 425.79; 3. Juan Rios / Victor Ortega (COL) 419.64

WOMEN
3m springboard: 1. Zhang Jun (CHN) 333.90; 2. Jiao Liu (CHN) 316.95; 3. Tina Punzel (GER) 314.25
10m platform: 1. Lian Jie (CHN) 392.80; 2. Xiaohui Huang (CHN) 368.55; 3. Julia Prokopchuk (UKR) 346.15
3m springboard synchro: 1. Zhang Jun / Lin Qu (CHN) 311.40; 2. Anna Pysmenska / Olena Fedorova (UKR) 293.70; 3. Yan Yee Ng / Jun Hoong Cheong (MAS) 282.90
10m platform synchro: 1. Jie Lian / Huang Xiaohui (CHN) 321.54 ; 2. Pandelela Rinong Pamg / Leong Mun Yee (MAS) 295.62; 3. Sarah Barrow / Tonia Couch (GBR) 292.68

2013 FINA DIVING GRAND PRIX CALENDAR

February 15-17: Madrid (ESP)
February 22-24: Rostock (GER)
May 2-5: Gatineau (CAN)
May 9-12: Fort Lauderdale (USA)
May 16-19: San Juan (PUR)
May 29-31: Kazan (RUS)
June 28-30: Bolzano (ITA)

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PR 35 - World Trophy 2013: Uzbekistan defeats Egypt to clinch Trophy in Kuwait City

Sun, 12 May 2013 09:46:17 GMT

Lausanne (SUI), May 12, 2013 – Kuwait City (KUW) successfully hosted the 4th edition of the FINA Men’s Water Polo Development Trophy from May 6-11, 2013.

In all, 11 teams attended the event: Egypt, Guatemala, Kuwait, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Tunisia, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.

The teams of Egypt and Uzbekistan, which topped Group A and B respectively at the end of the final round robin day of the competition, had a hard-fought final with the Asian squad eventually outscoring the North African squad 8-5.

The battle for the bronze played out between 2011 Trophy winner Saudi Arabia and Puerto Rico. The Saudi Arabians proved too strong for the team from the Americas, winning 10-8.

Final rankings: 1. Uzbekistan 2. Egypt 3. Saudi Arabia 4. Puerto Rico 5. Kuwait 6. Uruguay 7. South Africa 8. Tunisia 9. Singapore 10. Guatemala 11. Peru

All results

PR 34 - DGP 2013: China continues dominance, Canadians shine at home

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:40:52 GMT

Lausanne (SUI), May 6, 2013 – The Chinese delegation in Gatineau (Quebec, CAN) occupied the majority of podiums at the third stop of the FINA Diving Grand Prix 2013 held in the Canadian city for the first time from May 2-5, securing six of the eight titles at stake. The Canadian female team also impressed at home, earning the remaining two titles and a total five medals.

China swept all events in the men’s competition. Taking gold in the 3m springboard was Chao He while silver went to Japan’s Sho Sakai. In third came Rommel Pacheco (MEX). He took out the 3m synchro with teammate Shixin Li while the Mexican improved his bronze-medal finish with Jahir Ocampo by taking silver. Colombian pair Sebastian Casteneda/Sebastian Morales showed talent, claiming third spot. In the platform, Jian Yang shared the podium with teammate Liang Huo (second) and Juan Morales from Colombia (third). In the 10m synchro, Yanquan Zhang/Yuan Cao beat the Cubans Jeinkler Aguirre/Jose Guerra, taking second while Victor Ortega/Juan Rios Lopera from Colombia completed the podium.

Among women, local favourites Jennifer Abel and Meaghan Benfeito performed brilliantly, finishing on top in the 3m springboard and 10m platform, respectively. Abel bested compatriot Pamela Ware (second) and Mexico’s Dolores Hernandez (third) while Benfeito beat Chinese Jie Lian and Xiaohui Huang into second and third place, respectively. China also dominated both synchro events. On the lower board, Jiao Liu/Qu Lin picked up gold, leaving the silver for Pamela Ware/Jennifer Abel (CAN) and the bronze for Samantha Mills/Fan Qin (AUS). In the platform, Jie Lian/Xiaohui Huang added another gold medal to China’s tally, followed by Canadian pair Roseline Filion/Meaghan Benfeito and Monica Marquez/Karla Rivas from Mexico in third.

MEDALLISTS IN GATINEAU (CAN)

Men
3m springboard: 1. Chao He (CHN) 503.85; 2. Sho Sakai (JPN) 465.25; 3. Rommel Pacheco (MEX) 464.55
10m platform: 1. Jian Yang (CHN) 547.35; 2. Liang Huo (CHN) 496.40; 3. Juan Morales (COL) 450.45
3m springboard synchro: 1. Chao He/Shixin Li (CHN) 441.36; 2. Jahir Ocampo/Rommel Pacheco (MEX) 397.89; 3. Sebastian Villa Casteneda/Sebastian Morales (COL) 377.40
10m platform synchro: 1. Yanquan Zhang/Yuan Cao (CHN) 470.25; 2. Jeinkler Aguirre/Jose Guerra (CUB) 450.09; 3. Victor Ortega/Juan Rios Lopera (COL) 396.51

Women
3m springboard: 1. Jennifer Abel (CAN) 353.40; 2. Pamela Ware (CAN) 341.15; 3. Dolores Hernandez (MEX) 315.15
10m platform: 1. Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) 393.70; 2. Jie Lian (CHN) 387.40; 3. Xiaohui Huang (CHN) 316.95
3m springboard synchro: 1.Jiao Liu/Qu Lin (CHN) 317.70; 2. Pamela Ware/Jennifer Abel (CAN) 307.95; 3. Samantha Mills/Fan Qin (AUS) 279.60
10m platform synchro: 1. Jie Lian/Xiaohui Huang (CHN) 331.50; 2. Roseline Filion/Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) 319.32; 3. Monica Marquez/Karla Rivas (MEX) 296.34

2013 FINA DIVING GRAND PRIX CALENDAR

February 15-17: Madrid (ESP)
February 22-24: Rostock (GER)
May 2-5: Gatineau (CAN)
May 9-12: Fort Lauderdale (USA)
May 16-19: San Juan (PUR)
May 29-31: Kazan (RUS)
June 28-30: Bolzano (ITA)

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PR 33 - WP Development Trophy: Kuwait City welcomes promising teams for 4th edition

Fri, 03 May 2013 09:36:46 GMT

Lausanne (SUI), May 3, 2013 – Kuwait City (KUW) will host the 4th edition of the FINA Men’s Water Polo Development Trophy, taking place from May 6-11, 2013.

With this new event, FINA intends to develop and promote water polo on a global scale, especially in countries where it is not a major sport. Every two years, 12 water polo teams from Asia, the Americas and Africa are invited to compete on the international stage.

The teams taking part in the 2013 edition are: Algeria, Egypt, Guatemala, Kuwait, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Tunisia, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.

In the previous editions of 2007, 2009 and 2011, Colombia, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia won the Trophy, respectively.

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PR 32 - DWS 2013: China only misses one title in Moscow (RUS)

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:54:26 GMT

Lausanne (SUI), April 29, 2013 – China largely dominated the three-day competition of the fourth leg of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2013 organised in Moscow (RUS) from April 26-28. The only title escaping to the Asian powerhouse in the discipline was on the men’s 3m springboard synchro, where Ukraine’s pair Illya Kvasha/Oleksiy Prygorov won a thrilling final by a short margin of 0.96 over the Chinese duet Kai Qin/Chong He.

In the remaining men’s events, the Chinese representatives were clearly above the rest of the field: Chong He was quite convincing in the individual 3m event, while in the 10m platform Yue Lin was the best by over 30 points. In both events, the medals were given in the same order to the same countries: gold for China, silver for Russia and bronze again for China. In the 10m synchro event, Yue Lin/Aisen Chen earned comfortably the gold, leaving the minor medals for Russia (silver) and Cuba (bronze).

Among women, the Chinese supremacy was even more notorious, with a 1-2 finish in the individual events: Tingmao Shi (gold) and Zi He (silver) in the 3m springboard – the bronze went to Laura Sanchez from Mexico; Yajie Si (gold) and Ruolin Chen (silver) in the 10m platform, with Yulia Koltunova (RUS) getting the bronze. In the synchro events, China won the two titles, with divers from Ukraine, Malaysia and Russia completing the remaining podium presences.

MEDALLISTS IN MOSCOW

Men’s 3m springboard: 1. Chong He (CHN) 553.85; 2. Evgeny Kuznetsov (RUS) 542.10; 3. Kai Qin (CHN) 524.30
Men’s 10m platform: 1. Yue Lin (CHN) 565.25; 2. Victor Minibaev (RUS) 531.85; 3. Aisen Chen (CHN) 514.25
Men’s 3m springboard synchro: 1. Illya Kvasha/Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) 445.08; 2. Kai Qin/Chong He (CHN) 444.12; 3. Yahel Castillo/Daniel Islas (MEX) 399.60
Men’s 10m platform synchro: 1. Yue Lin/Aisen Chen (CHN) 471.18; 2. Victor Minibaev/Artem Cheskov (RUS) 426.45; 3. Jose Antonio Guerra/Jeinkler Aguirre (CUB) 387.30

Women’s 3m springboard: 1. Tingmao Shi (CHN) 376.05; 2. Zi He (CHN) 357.45; 3. Laura Sanchez (MEX) 335.25
Women’s 10m platform: 1. Yajie Si (CHN) 396.15; 2. Ruolin Chen (CHN) 392.35; 3. Yulia Koltunova (RUS) 365.90
Women’s 3m springboard synchro: 1. Minxia Wu/Tingmao Shi (CHN) 339.00; 2. Olena Fedorova/Anna Pysmenska (UKR) 296.10; 3. Yan Yee Ng/Jun Hoong Cheong (MAS) 286.20
Women’s 10m platform synchro: 1. Yajie Si/Huixia Liu (CHN) 332.04; 2. Pandelela Rinong Pamg/Mun Yee Leong (MAS) 329.40; 3. Yulia Koltunova/Natalia Goncharova (RUS) 298.86

PR 31 - DWS 2013: Europe dominates men's, China sweeps women's events in Edinburgh

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:14:07 GMT

Edinburgh (GBR), April 21, 2013 – Edinburgh (GBR) successfully hosted the British leg of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2013, welcoming 52 divers from the world’s strongest nations in the sport from April 19-21 at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

At the end of the three-day top-level competition, China clinched the four women’s titles and the men’s 3m springboard synchro event, for an overall tally of eight medals. Among men, Russian pair Victor Minibaev/Artem Chesakov triumphed in the 10m platform synchro while the 3m springboard was won by Illya Kvasha from Ukraine for the second meet in-a-row. Great Britain’s Thomas Daley concluded the Series in Edinburgh by winning in convincing fashion the 10m platform. Other countries with medals included Cuba, Germany, Malaysia and Mexico.

Among women, the Chinese divers were untouchable with young talent Tingmao Shi (pairing with Olympic champion Minxia Wu) taking out the 3m springboard synchro event while Olympic silver medallist Zi He remained the dominant force in the individual event. In the 10m platform events, Yajie Si was too strong for teammate Huixia Liu (second) and Mexico’s Alejandra Orozco (third). In the synchro event, Si combined with Liu, edging out the Malaysian and Russian pairs, for second and third, respectively.

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PR 30 - OWS Grand Prix: Italy takes the spotlight in Cozumel (MEX)

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:16:04 GMT

Lausanne (SUI), April 21, 2013 – After triumphing on April 13 in the Mexican leg of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2013, held for the first time in Cozumel, Martina Grimaldi from Italy repeated the success in the 15km-effort counting for the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2013 on April 20, touching home in 3h21m44s. In all, 70 participants (26 women and 44 men) from 21 countries took part in the Grand Prix event.

In a hard-fought race, which attracted many participants from the 10km circuit, Italy’s Simone Ruffini emerged victorious in the men’s race, clocking 3h03m22s and beating main challenger Brian Ryckeman from Belgium, second in 3h03m36s. Simone Ercoli (ITA), winner of Race 1 and 2 in Argentina this season, secured the bronze in a time of 3h03m40s.

The participants in Cozumel - credit: Getty Images

In the women’s field, Olympic bronze medallist Grimaldi was followed by German veteran Angela Maurer, second in 3h21m47s and compatriot Rachele Bruni, third in 3h21m55s. Bruni was also bronze medallist in the 10km in the same waters a week earlier. For most medallists, this is their first success in the Grand Prix circuit.

Full FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix 2013 calendar:
Race 1: January 27, 2013 in Rosario (ARG)
Race 2: February 3, 2013 in Santa Fe-Coronda (ARG)
Race 3: February 10, 2013 in Hernandarias-Parana (ARG)
Race 4: April 20, 2013 in Cozumel (MEX)
NEXT RACE: July 27, 2013 in Lac St-Jean (CAN)
Race 6: August 3, 2013 in Lac Magog (CAN)
Race 7: August 24, 2013 in Ohrid Lake (MKD)
Race 8: September 1, 2013 in Capri-Napoli (ITA)