Olympic and World champion Shi Tingmao of China suffered a rare upset in her favorite 3m springboard while Cao Yuan celebrated his third title at the FINA/CNSG Diving World Series 2019 in Beijing (CHN) on Friday March 8.

Shi, unbeaten since 2013 in both the national and international meets, started 1.5 point lower than her long-time friend and new synchro partner Wang Han (CHN) for her first dive, and accumulated the gap little by little after each round. Shi finally collected 367.00 point, 10.40 behind Wang. Jennifer Abel of Canada finished third (332.70).

"It was a pity that I did not perform my best today. Every dive was not as clean as usual. The failure made me upset but I want o congratulate Wang Han. She did a pretty good job today. I am not afraid of failure, but I need to learn from the lesson since I have not failed for many years, "Shi said.

"It is a good thing to lose from time to time. I will learn from today’s loss. I don't want to bear the pressure that I cannot make any mistakes. I accept the failure and the gold medal today does not belong to me. It is better to take the loss earlier than later," added Shi.

Wang said she always has a special feeling competing at the Water Cube.

"Beijing Olympic Games was held in this venue, so I cherish every opportunity I have to compete at the Water Cube. I was happy with the gold medal but not satisfied with my performance even though I claimed the victory. I still need to improve my techniques, “said Wang, a mixed synchro World champion.

Two time Olympic champion Cao, sealed the victory in the men's 3m springboard with six stable dives for a winning total of 541.95 points.

"I was lucky to receive my third gold in front of the home crowds. I just had six smooth dives, no perfect ones and no big mistakes. I enjoyed my pace of competition," said Cao, who won two synchro titles on Thursday in the 3m springboard and 10m platform.

World champion Xie Siyi had to concede to a silver for his poor fourth and sixth dives, with 527.90 points. Jack Laugher of Britain took the bronze (457.55), edging Rommel Pacheco of Mexico by 0.45.

"I was disappointed with my dives, especially the fifth dive 109C which earned only 45.60 points. I did not show my training form. I have to say that it is great to see Cao doing so well. I have been able to watch his dives. Both Cao and Xie are my most respected divers and I am happy to compete against them. I will get stronger next stop," Laugher said.

Chinese new pair Chang Yani/Yang Hao led the mixed 3m springboard with 315.21 points, beating Francois Imbeau-Dulac/Jennifer Abel of Canada (304.08) and Thomas Daley/Grace Reid of Great Britain (294.39), respectively.

China wrapped up all seven gold medals on offer with one day left of the second leg of the FINA/CNSG Diving World Series 2019.