China continues to dominate diving in 2019

Once again, China dominated diving at the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships.

With the completion of the men’s 10 meter platform event on Saturday, diving at the World Championships has officially wrapped up.

As expected, it was China, again, taking home gold in the last diving event on Saturday. Yang Jian won gold with 598.65 points, followed by his Chinese teammate Yang Hao winning silver with 585.75 points.

Of the total of 13 diving golds available at the World Championships, China managed to win 12 of them. The only event that they didn’t win gold in was the mixed 3 meter synchronized springboard, as the country did not compete. Australia was the only team other than China to win gold at the world championships this year.

China’s golden streak has also allowed the team to extend their lead in the all-time medal standing. At world championships, China has now won 95 gold medals, 54 silver medals and 26 bronze medals in diving. The number of golds are more impressive when compared to Russia, who is ranked second on the all-time medal table. Russia has 13 gold medals, 20 silver medals and 17 bronze medals.

With its performance at Gwangju, Team China showed great potential ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. From veterans to rookies, a great mix of Chinese divers won gold at the World Championships.

Chen Yuxi and Lu Wei, both 13, were the youngest members of the Chinese diving team to take home gold. Chen won gold in the women’s 10 meter platform event while Lu picked up a gold in women’s synchronized 10 meter platform, partnering with 14-year-old Zhang Jiaqi.

But the youngsters weren’t the only Chinese divers to shine. Shi Tingmao continued her success as she defended her title in women’s 3 meter springboard for the third time and also won the 3 meter synchronized springboard event, partnering with Wang Han, for the fourth straight world championships.

The Chinese men’s team was just as solid. Three divers - Xie Siyi, Cao Yuan and Yang Jian - picked up two gold medals at this year’s World Championships. Xie won both the 3 meter springboard and 3 meter synchronized springboard events, partnering with Cao, while Cao won the 3 meter and 10 meter synchronized diving events, partnering with Chen Aisen. Yang picked up a gold in 10 meter platform and in the team event, partnering with Lin Shan.

Wang Zongyuan won his first gold at the World Championships by winning the men’s 1 meter springboard event. Veteran Si Yajie teamed up with Lian Junjie to win gold in mixed 10 meter platform.

BY KANG YOO-RIM [kang.yoorim@joongang.co.kr]