Chinese springboard specialists Qin Kai and He Chong expect to maintain the winning momentum of China in the men's three-meter springboard.

China has been victorious in this event at the three previous Olympic Games.

He finished the first on Monday's preliminary in 515.50 points, while Qin took the second place in 502.95. Yahel Castillo of Mexico finished the third in 480.65.

A total of 29 divers will compete in the preliminary starting on Monday night, qualifying 18 into the semi-final, and afterwards, sending 12 into the final battle.

The two Chinese will hardly miss the final. Qin Kai, who just claimed the gold of the synchro springboard with veteran Wang Feng at Beijing Olympics, is the reigning world champion in the event, and he also grabbed silver at all legs of World Series in 2008, including Nanjing, Shefield and Tijuana.

The 21-year-old He Chong will be Qin's strongest rival, who is famed for commanding a set of difficult dives. He, currently the world No. 1 in the event, won the gold in the World Cup in February.

Castillo will be an arch rival for China, as he is the only diver who can perform 5355B, a reverse two-and -a -half somersault and two-and-a-half twist in pike position, whose difficulty degree is 3.9.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2008)