He Chong won his record-tying third consecutive world title in the men’s 3m springboard on Friday, giving China their seventh gold medal in eight diving events.
Trailing heading into the fifth and next-to-last round, He nailed an impressive dive to ultimately finish with 544.95 points. It was He’s second gold this week after dominating the synchronized 3m springboard with Qin Kai on Tuesday.
He’s victories in 2009, 2011 and this year match American Phillip Boggs’ record of three titles from 1973 to 1978.
“I don’t think records exist in diving,” He said. “I had never thought about it. But I am very happy now that I have it.”
Evgeny Kuznetsov of Russia took silver with 508.00 points, his second at these worlds, while Yahel Castillo of Mexico claimed bronze with 498.30.
The 26-year-old He’s latest title came a year after he was dethroned as Olympic champion in this event. He said that the adversity had made him work harder.
“It is normal there are some doubts, nobody can be on top all time,” He said. “I failed and made mistakes, but I grew from those mistakes and faced the future.”
The final was billed as a two-man battle between He and Qin, given their run of titles in recent years and the elimination of Olympic gold medalist Ilia Zakharov of Russia in the semi-finals.
However, Qin never recovered from a poor start. A blown third dive, when the 2007 champion entered the water at an ugly angle, doomed him to a fifth-place finish.
Instead, the steadier Kuznetsov emerged as the leader. However, He executed a tough forward tuck with four-and-a-half somersaults to total 102.60 points and overtake the Russian.
Earlier at the Montjuic Municipal pool, Chinese duo He Zi and Wang Han topped the semi-finals for the women’s 3m springboard.
He led the 18-diver field with 370 points. Wang was next with 362.40, and Canada’s Jennifer Abel was third with 344.10. The final was to be held yesterday.
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
TIGHT FINISH: Napoli only needed to do the same as or better than Inter, who won their game against Como 2-0 on the same day, leaving Napoli with a one-point lead The two players who Antonio Conte wanted more than any others secured Napoli their second Serie A title in three years on Friday. Scott McTominay scored with an acrobatic bicycle kick before halftime and Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead with a solo goal after the break in the decisive 2-0 home win over Cagliari. Conte became the first coach to win the Italian championship with three different teams. “Everyone contributed to this — but the coach most of all,” Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo said. “Napoli needed him to get back on top. He’s phenomenal.” Comparing it to his three Serie A titles won
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jack Hinshelwood on Monday sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory against Liverpool to leave the English Premier League champions without a win since clinching the title. Arne Slot’s side took the lead through Harvey Elliott’s early opener before Yasin Ayari equalized at the American Express Stadium. Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s advantage just before halftime, but Brighton staged a late fightback as Kaoru Mitoma leveled before Hinshelwood came off the bench to net with his first touch. Liverpool have taken just one point from their three matches following the title-clinching rout of Tottenham Hotspur on April 27. The Reds have lost at
RSS