DWS 2016,Day 2, Kazan: Three more gold for China

China earned three more gold medals, confirming its supremacy in the field, on day 2 of the fourth leg of the FINA/NVC Diving World Series in Kazan. Although this time the atmosphere in the pool was very competitive, especially in the two individual events of the evening session.

In women’s 10m platform Ren Qian, who took part in World Championships 2015 in Kazan at 14 years old and took a debut silver medal in this event, was the major favorite of the final as she had a strong program and consistent results this season. Nevertheless Tonia Cough of Great Britain was leading until the last dive, while Ren Qian made an impressive fifth attempt and won the title in 367,35. Cough came second, totalling 365,90. The bronze went to Chinese Si Yajie with 353,70 points.

On the performance of the 15-year old Ren Qian and her 17-year old teammate Tonia Cough said: “They are something outstanding and just amazing. It’s so hard to get close. They are always number one and two. That’s why I’m so pleased with my result. I can’t believe it. Maybe it’s because the Aquatics Palace in Kazan is one of my favorite pools. I actually dropped my back twist, which normally I can do better. If I did it, I might got the gold. But I’m satisfied with my silver. The other dives were really great. I’ve got 8,5 from the judges. So I’m very happy. We have the European championships in London in May. I hope I will dive like I did today”.

In men’s 3m springboard Russian Ilia Zakharov collected 520,70 points to take silver only 1,20 point behind Cao Yuan (521,90), who won four out of four gold medals in the event throughout the Diving World Series 2016. He Chao (CHN) finished third (520,15). Evgeniy Kuznetsov (RUS) scored the highest mark of the competition for his sixth dive (109 C) – 110.20 points. But placed only fifth with a total of 507,45.

“Ilia Zakharov was well prepared and showed very high level dives. I think I’m lucky to beat him today. There were some mistakes and details in my performance. I know I can do better, - Cao Yuan said. - I’m satisfied with the result in Kazan and with the overall win. Every stage I did my best to get gold. I’m very happy”.

“From one point of view, I’m a little bit disappointed, because the gap is so slight. It’s frustrating, - Zakharov confessed. - From the other side, I’m pleased that I did all the dives. I made only one error – on my fifth dive with the difficulty 3,9. But I will continue working on it both in individual and in synchro event with Kuznetsov. We count on it at the Olympics”.

The mixed 10m synchro platform event saw China, Australia and Russia on the podium of the last leg. Tai Xiaohu/Chang Yani dominated the contest and finished with (355,38), followed by Melissa Wu/Dominic Bedggood (330,84) and Yulia Timoshinina/Nikita Shleikher (320,40).

“This our third competition together and we improve every time, - Dominic Bedggood commented on their result. - And it’s a great feeling”.

“We had our first time in this discipline at Aquatic Worlds here, in Kazan, - Melissa Wu added. - We got a bronze medal then. We are happy to come here again to compete in mixed synchro”.