Thomas Daley, Britain’s 2009 world champion, thwarted China’s bid to become the first country to win four successive diving world titles in the men’s 10m platform when the 23-year-old prevailed in a thrilling final.
Olympic champion Chen Aisen was aiming to keep China’s golden exploits intact after Qiu Bo’s hat-trick of titles had matched the US’ Greg Louganis’ feat of more than 30 years ago.
However, Daley posted a personal-best points haul of 590.95, which included five 10s in a sizzling final dive, to secure his first individual global title for eight years when he won as a 15-year-old in Rome.
Photo: AP
Daley, who failed to qualify for the Olympic final after a disastrous preliminary round last summer, told reporters: “I can put to bed Rio now and be like, ‘Now I can move on my journey to Tokyo.’”
“I saw Chen hit the water and thought, ‘Oh, yes. If that’s how you want to play it, I’m here to play, too,’” Daley added.
Chen said that he thought he would win gold with his final-round tally of 106.20 before Daley equaled the mark and held two arms aloft.
Photo: AP
“It means I will have to go back to work and do better next time,” said Chen, who was bidding to become the first reigning Olympic champion to win the world title since compatriot Hu Jia in 2005.
Daley had earlier partnered Grace Reid to a surprise silver in the mixed 3m synchronized springboard final. Wang Han and Li Zheng of China won gold.
China’s three medals in the final day of diving — Yang Jian also won bronze in the men’s 10m platform — meant that the powerhouse nation across springboard and platform finished well clear in the medal table.
Having claimed 37 of 40 gold medals in World Series events this year, China continued to dominate in Budapest, with eight golds and 15 medals in all. Russia finished second with 10 medals.
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