Teenagers Wang Xin and Chen Ruolin gave China its third straight victory in Olympic diving, easily winning the women’s 10m synchronized competition yesterday.
Chen and Wang totaled 363.54 points in an event China has won since it was introduced at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Australia’s Briony Cole and Melissa Wu took the silver with 335.16, while Mexico’s Paola Espinosa and Tatiana Ortiz earned the bronze at 330.06.
PHOTO: EPA
The gold medal was a delayed birthday present for Wang, who turned 16 on Monday. Chen is 15.
“The gold medal is the best birthday present I have ever had,” Wang said. “I hope the luck can be with me all the time.”
The duo could have more celebrating in store since Chen and Wang are ranked 1-2 on individual platform.
The Chinese also won synchro events in women’s 3m springboard and men’s 10m platform.
They’re hoping to sweep all eight golds in diving.
It was a full house at the Water Cube, with partisan fans waving red flags and chanting.
Chen and Wang led through all five rounds, earning a perfect 10 for execution from one judge on their second dive, a reverse from the pike position.
Before taking the medals podium, Chen and Wang circled around it to shake hands with the Mexicans and Australians, continuing a tradition the victorious Chinese began after earning their first gold medal.
“I hope to be diving with her for a long time,” said Wang, who became Chen’s partner last year.
The teenagers have their daily scheduled planned meticulously by coaches who have drilled them to treat every competition the same — even an Olympics.
“We have a whole program planned for us which includes what time we get up and when we train,” Wang said.
“This is all decided by our coaches, we were told we shouldn’t give too much focus on the Olympics, just treat it like any other competition and be relaxed,” she said.
But when the pair were asked by a journalist about their matching boy-like haircuts, Wang swiftly clarified their appearance for him.
“I can assure you, we are still girls,” she replied sharply.
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