Chinese coach leads Mexican divers to gold medals
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E-mail Xinhua, April 7, 2015
The 2015 FINA Diving Grand Prix in Leon of Mexico just concluded over the weekend, with Mexican divers winning five golds, two silvers and two bronzes. Behind these results, we can see a Chinese coach.
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Ma Jin [File Photo: Xinhua] |
Ma Jin, who has been coaching the Mexican diving team for 12 years, said that she hadn't expected so many medals at this highly competitive event and her team did their best.
Ma's performance as a diving coach in Mexico is remarkable. She helped the country train its first world champion diver as well as other excellent athletes.
Her favorite pupil, Paola Espinosa, won bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and silver medal at the 2012 Olympics in London in the 10m synchronized platform.
Knowns as "princess of diving", Espinosa won the gold medal in the 10m platform at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships, during which Ma's two other trainees won one gold for men's three-meter springboard and one silver for women's three-meter springboard.
Ma spoke highly of Mexico's progress in diving in recent years. "The country is paying more and more attention to the sport. The FINA Diving Grand Prix in Leon attracted so many audiences that the stadium didn't have enough room for them. They were very excited about the event. Some brought all family members."
More children go to diving schools, inspired by Espinosa, hoping they can stand out one day as a diver.
Ma said Espinosa is one of most popular sports stars in Mexico, and many parents hope that their children can be as successful as her. In addition, Mexico's climate is suitable for diving.
Meanwhile, the Mexican government also shows its zeal for the sport, investing heavily on it and holding many international diving events. There are more places where people can learn and practice diving. Take Leon for example, there are two brand new diving stadiums with sophisticated facilities, said Ma.
Working in Mexico was not easy for Ma when she first arrived in the country in 2003 as she was far away from her family and ran into the language barrier.
Ma said she had thought of going back to China in the early years, and it was Espinosa who helped her decide to stay.
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