GWANGJU, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Australians Maddison Keeney/Mattew Carter won their first gold medal at the 18th FINA World Swimming Championships here on Saturday as they dominated the mixed 3m springboard synchro final.

China so far swept all 11 gold medals on offer in Gwangju before Yang Hao/Chang Yani withdrew from the mixed 3m synchro, as Yang needed to compete in the men's 10m platform final later evening. It is the last event of diving competition in Gwangju.

Maddison Keeney/Mattew Carter, who competed for the first time together, had a flying start in their first dive, but downed to eighth after their second dive 301B (Reverse dive pike). Then the new pair came back to fourth after third dive and led the field for the last two dives, winning in a total of 304.86 points.

"We just competed together for the first time. We did not have much time to prepare and did not expect at all. We were happy that we won a gold medal from the worlds," said Keeney.

Francois Imbeau-Dulac/Jennier Abel of Canada had to concede to a silver by 0.78 points behind the Aussies. Lou Massenber/Tina Punzel of Germany came third at 301.62.

Thomas Daley/Grace Reid of Britain were the fourth finishers. "I was obviously disappointed as we did not get a medal. We missed our fourth round, but we just kept fighting," Daley said.

Mixed synchro events were introduced to the world championships since 2015 Kazan as Chinese diver Wang Han snatched two gold medals in a row with different partners. Wang won 2015 Kazan worlds with Yang Hao, and Li Zheng in 2017 Budapest. Enditem

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