DOHA, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Three-time Olympic champion Cao Yuan, absent from world-level competition for over a year, secured a silver medal in the men's 10m platform final at the World Aquatics Championships here on Saturday.

Following his gold medal with Wang Zongyuan in the men's synchronized 3m springboard at the 2022 Budapest Championships, Cao faded from public view due to subsequent injuries.

Despite a less-than-ideal start in the final in Doha, the 29-year-old quickly found his rhythm in subsequent dives, cutting the deficit with his teammate Yang Hao to 2.55 points before the last dive and narrowly missing out on the gold medal.

"It feels fresh for me, so I felt a bit nervous," Cao said, as he made his sixth appearance at the World Championships. "I'm still gradually warming up and gaining competition form and experience."

Since childhood, Cao's adventurous spirit and limitless energy have defined his character and shaped his remarkable journey in the diving world. "I find everything fascinating and enjoy exploring it all. I possess an inherent freshness and liveliness," he said.

Recalling his childhood, Cao's mother, Liao Yuejing, reminisced about his mischievous behavior and suspected him of having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Busy with work, she sought a place that could channel her son's energy.

"When he was five, I noticed his sports talent and his desire to learn martial arts. However, we couldn't find a suitable martial arts class nearby and ended up enrolling him in a diving class," Liao said.

In 2003, Cao joined the Beijing diving team at the age of eight as a full-time athlete. With his abundant energy, Cao often skipped his napping, causing chaos on the floor where he lived. Female handball players residing downstairs frequently complained to his coach about the disturbance.

However, in diving, he showed both diligence and natural talent, leading to rapid progress. Chinese diving legend Li Na once described him as a "genius."

"He was very versatile in technique and had unlimited energy. Whether it was forward, backward, or inward dives, he would perform with more agility than ordinary children," Li said.

In 2008, Cao fulfilled his potential as he was called up by the national team for the first time. In June 2010, Cao achieved his first world championship by winning the men's synchronized 10m platform at the FINA Diving World Cup with partner Zhang Yanquan. Later that year at the Guangzhou Asian Games, 15-year-old Cao established his reputation on the international stage by winning the men's 10m platform with a narrow margin.

Initially focusing on platform diving, Cao's versatility allowed him to excel in both platform and springboard disciplines, which is rare in Chinese diving history and marked him as a unique talent.

From London to Rio and to Tokyo, he won the synchronized 10m platform, the individual 3m springboard and the individual 10m platform, becoming the first diver to win gold in three events at the Olympics.

Outside of his diving career, Cao enjoyed playing the piano in his spare time. He once compared the feeling on the diving board to playing the piano, stating that both require personal rhythm and harmony. "Life is also like a piano, with its ups and downs, highlights and low notes," he said.

Throughout his career, Cao has earned numerous accolades. However, as he aged, various injuries plagued him, leading to a shoulder surgery in February 2023.

"Sometimes I need more rest and my recovery ability may not be the same as before," he said.

The comeback of this experienced diver in Doha has attracted attention. With three Olympic gold medals under his belt, there is anticipation regarding his potential participation in the Paris Olympics.

"This competition in Doha has given me some confidence and now I need to reflect on it properly, focus more, and improve," said Cao. Enditem

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