China wins two more diving golds
(AP)Updated: 2007-03-21 19:51
MELBOURNE - With China on the boards, everyone else was diving for bronze.
Luo Yutong and He Chong finished 1-2 in men's 1-meter springboard and Wang Xin and Chen Ruolin did the same in women's platform Wednesday, keeping the Chinese perfect through four events at the world championships.
 Luo Yutong (L) and He Chong of China pose for photographs after taking gold and silver, respectively, for the 1-metre springboard diving competition in Melbourne March 21.  |
 China's Wang Xin bites her gold medal after winning the women's 10-meter competition at the World Aquatic Championships in Melbourne March 21, 2007. |
The Chinese claimed titles in the men's 3-meter and women's 10-meter synchronized events Monday, putting them on track for a sweep at Albert Park.
"They put a lot of hard work into this sport and they're very talented as well," American Chris Colwill said, "especially with the higher degree of difficulty they do with their dives. It makes it harder to catch up."
Chen received a slew of perfect marks during the five-round final. Chen scored six 10.0s and a 9.5 for her fourth dive, a back 3{ somersault, that had Chinese fans waving their nation's flag and cheering wildly.
Chen led through the first two rounds before Wang, whose lone 10.0 came on her first dive, took over the rest of the way.
Wang won the gold with 432.85 points. Chen took the silver in 410.30.
Christin Steuer of Germany earned the bronze in 386.85.
American Laura Wilkinson, the defending champion making a comeback after wrist surgery last year, finished fourth.
Wilkinson did harder dives than both of the Chinese, including a back 3{ somersault valued at 3.6 out of 4.0. But her legs hit the water upon entry, earning scores of 3.0 to 5.0.
In the men's 1-meter, Luo came from behind to beat He by 7.55 points and earn his first major international gold medal. His teammate finished with 477.40 points.
"I felt very good today," Luo said. "I performed the way I performed in training. It was not my best, but I got a lot more experience."
Christopher Sacchin of Italy took the bronze.
Colwill finished fourth. He was third after his opening dive, dropped to fifth, then never made a serious run at the Chinese.
"There are a few things I could have done a lot better, particularly on that last dive," he said. "I had some mistiming on the board that cost a lot of points for me. I just wish I could have done a little bit better."
Colwill had a low degree of difficulty, with none of his dives harder than 3.2. That was on the low end for the Chinese, especially He, whose forward 2{ somersault with two twists was worth 3.6.
So far, the United States has just one medal - a bronze in synchronized swimming - at the meet.
Luo took over the lead from He on his fourth dive, a forward 2{ somersault with one twist that earned marks ranging from 8.0 to 9.5.
He is a springboard specialist, but he prefers the 3-meter board, where he's ranked No. 1 in the world. He won a bronze on it in 2005 at Montreal, and will go for gold in the event beginning Thursday.
"My teammate did very well. For myself, I did not do my best," He said. "I did not prepare very well. I did not have good training before I came here. That's why I did not do my best."
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