China’s He Chong clinched the men’s 3m springboard title yesterday, maintaining the host nation’s perfect gold medal record in diving at these Olympics.
World No. 1 He soared into the lead with his first dive, scoring four perfect 10s from the judges and roars of support from the packed Chinese crowd, and never looked back, winning by more than 30 points.
With the 21-year-old from Guangdong simply extending his lead with every near-perfect dive, the battle turned to silver and bronze, between teammate Qin Kai and Canada’s Alexandre Despatie.
PHOTO: AP
The Canadian held off the world champion, winning silver to match the one he won in Athens four years ago, with Qin taking third.
China have now claimed six out of six diving golds in Beijing, equaling their best ever tally in Athens four years ago, with two events still to come.
In the fifth dive, Qin and Despatie performed exactly the same dive, an inwards three and a half somersault tuck, with the Chinese champion scoring slightly higher than the Canadian.
Just over five points separated the pair heading into the last round, with both performing ambitious dives in an attempt to get over the line. But the Canadian edged out the Chinese with a forward two-and-a-half somersault with two twists.
Russia’s Dmitry Sautin, 34, who has won eight medals over five Olympics including silver here in the 3m synchronized event, finished fourth. The 34-year-old Russian, almost certainly competing at his last Olympics, said beforehand that he wanted to walk away with one more medal.
World No. 2 Yahel Castillo, who kept up with the leaders during the semi-finals, faded to seventh, denying Mexico its first gold medal at these Games.
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