World champion Xie Siyi wins tough battle in men's 3m springboard
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E-mail Xinhua, August 27, 2017
In a showdown among an Olympic champion and two world title winners, the newly-crowned world titlist Xie Siyi proved he was the best on the men's 3m springboard and became the first ever diver winning three gold medals at the 13th Chinese National Games here on Friday.
Despite a small error in his second dive 5353B, Xie from Guangdong led the final from the start and earned a day-high 108.30 points for his last dive 109C, taking the gold medal in a total 568.95.
Prior to his individual title, Xie also took crowns in the team event and 3m synchronized springboard together with Cao Yuan.
Xie's teammate He Chao, the 2015 world champion, came to second in 544.55 and Rio Olympic champion Cao Yuan of Beijing made a strong comeback to the third place in 536.25.
"I did not expect to become the first triple champion diver in one Games. I felt excited when I finally won the hard battle against He and Cao. In fact, I was under pressure to compete with them. I gave myself 90 points for my performance," said Xie, who claimed victory in the FINA World Championships in Budapest last month.
He Chao, also FINA Best Diver of 2015, said he was satisfied of his silver medal. "It was the second time I grabbed a silver medal in the 3m for the two consecutive Games. It showed that there are many talents in our Chinese diving."
Rio Olympic champion Cao Yuan, who topped the semifinal and placed second in the heat, suffered an early blow as he made a big mistake in his first dive 407C with 66.30. Cao surged back in the next five dives to finish third.
"It was a pity that I missed my first dive, but I was glad that I fought back at last. I also felt proud that I tested my 5156B and earned 97.50. It was the dive I failed in the worlds and missed the world title," Cao said.
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