Moreover, on the opening day, another Russian diver, two-time bronze Olympic medallist Gleb Galperin presented a diving show. A group of professional and amateur divers in sailor shirts made a spectacular and comic performance with acrobatic dives from the platform with a bike or even in a wash-basin.

While the public was excited and thrilled with risky dives, the Chairman of the FINA Technical Diving Committee Kathy Seaman was satisfied with the pool facilities and the work of the organising committee. At the opening press conference, she said: "All services are working successfully. We are impressed by the organisers. But still they have a lot to do. The junior championship is a big tournament. There are more competitions in the programme then during the Olympics: 6 days, 14 events in Group A (16-18 years old) and Group B (14-15 years old) divers. Good luck to all of them. Here we can see future stars and future winners of Olympic, World and European major events".


The Boys A 3m springboard podium - Photo credit: Andrey Demin

On the first competition day, Chinese Huang Bowen (Group A) made the best to ensure the successful tradition of his country in the discipline and comfortably won, leading during the entire final on the 3m springboard. His advantage was so significant that he could even get zero for his last dive and become a champion. Russia's Ilya Molchanov was the runner-up and could be on the second place but missed his fifth attempt. As a result, he finished fourth. His teammate Aleksandr Belevtsev, on the contrary, concentrated his effort towards the end of the competition: he entered the water like a string and got his 80 points, getting the first medal at home for Russia - silver. Bronze went to the best of the preliminaries - Diego Rodrigo from Mexico.

On his unexpected success,
Belevtsev said: "I could hardly believe that I'm a medallist. I was
sixth after the qualifying round and I had strong rivals in the final.
But it comes out my main opponent is myself. I'm so happy that I'm on
the podium".

One more silver on 1m springboard (Girls B) but with another emotion went to Ekaterina Nekrasova (RUS). She couldn't hold back tears and clenched a towel with her teeth as she missed gold in the last third dive. American Brooke Christine Schulz earned the title. Australian Georgia Sheehan took bronze.

On her performance, Nekrasova commented: "Of course I'm upset. I've made
this dive perfectly so many times at practice. I'll try to get revenge
on 3m springboard".


The Girls B 1m springboard podium - Photo credit: Andrey Demin

Results

Boys A – 3m springboard
1. Huang Bowen (China) – 636.60
2. Aleksandr Belevtsev (Russia) – 565.60
3. Diego Rodrigo (Mexico) – 562.65

Girls B – 1m springboard
1. Brooke Christine Schultz (USA) – 356.90
2. Ekaterina Nekrasova (Russia) – 353.95
3. Georgia Sheehan (Аustralia) - 344.65