Wu Mingxia couldn’t stop smiling. With the gold medal around her neck, she was finally the world champion in 3m diving after settling for silver twice before.
Wu held off teammate He Zi by 1.7 points yesterday to give China its ninth gold medal and 13th overall at the outdoor pool.
China could complete its first sweep of the gold medals at worlds today. Qio Bo was the top qualifier heading into the men’s 10m final.
Wu totaled 380.85 points in the five-dive round yesterday, while He finished with 379.15 despite a foot injury she sustained two months ago. Earlier, they teamed to win the springboard synchronized dive title.
It was Wu’s first individual springboard title after being -runner-up in 2005 and 2007. She didn’t compete in the event two years ago in Rome. In the Olympics, Wu won silver medals on springboard in 2004 and 2008. The 25-year-old Wu was competing in her sixth world meet.
Jennifer Abel of Canada earned the bronze with 365.10 after finishing 11th in Rome. American Christina Loukas was fourth with 350.10.
He led after two rounds before Wu took over the top spot for good. Wu was a model of consistency, slipping into the water with barely a splash despite He being in close pursuit.
In the third round, He’s feet weren’t straight upon entry, which cost her the lead. She was fourth in Rome.
In water polo, Australia led by three goals with three minutes left and held on for a 10-9 win over two-time champion Hungary in a women’s playoff match.
Rowan Webster scored four goals for Australia, which advances to a quarter-final match tomorrow against Spain.
The Netherlands beat New Zealand 14-6 yesterday, advancing to the quarter-finals against Greece.
Russia later overwhelmed Cuba 26-4 and will play the US, winner of the past two world titles, in the quarter-finals.
Spain played China later -yesterday, with the winner to face Canada in the quarters.
Spain, Greece, the US and Canada received byes in the opening playoff round because they won their round-robin groups.
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