World champions Wang Feng and He Chong of China clinched the men's 3-meter springboard title of the FINA World Cup in Changshu, east of China, on Friday.

 

He Chong, left and Wang Feng, showing their gold medals. July 21, 2006. (Sina.com photo)

 

Although the duo split after the title victory in Montreal last year, they resumed their partnership at this year's China Grand Prix and grabbed three golds in a row before the World Cup.

 

After collecting 446.73 points from six dives, Wang said, "We are satisfied with our performance."

 

The 27-year-old veteran added that he would try his best to keep in form so as to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

 

Mitchell Richeson/Troy Dumais from the United States won the silver at 428.43 points. German Tobias Schellenberg/Andreas Wels finished third at 393.30 points. The pair was the silver medallist at 2005 World Championships and 2004 Athens Olympics.

 

In the preliminary this morning, the American duo was 54.48 points behind Wang/He, who led at 447.15 points. About nine hours later, Richeson/Dumais reduced the margin to 18.30 points.

 

Dumais clinched the bronze medal of this event at 2005 World Aquatic Championships with his elder brother Justin Dumais. With his new partner Richeson, Dumais took one silver medal and one bronze medal at this year's Grand Prix. 

 

(Xinhau News Agency July 22, 2006)