Chinese diving sensations Chen Yuxi and Wang Zongyuan clinched gold medals under a thrilling new competition format at the World Aquatics Diving World Cup Super Final in Beijing on Saturday.
The revamped head-to-head format saw the top 12 divers seeded and paired based on rankings, each choosing three dives. With every matchup, the lower scorer faced elimination, adding edge-of-the-seat excitement to the event.
Chen, the top seed, showcased unwavering consistency in the women’s 10-meter platform, amassing 432.15 points in the heats and semifinals. Her compatriot, Quan Hongchan, closely trailed with 399.25 points despite a stumble on her 207C dive.
In a gripping final, Chen delivered five flawless dives, securing the gold with 431.25 points. Quan earned silver with 409.80 points, while Mexico’s Alejandra Estudillo Torres took bronze with 332.70 points.
Reflecting on her experience, Chen said, “I’ve never competed like this before. Facing three big battles in two days was a huge challenge, teaching me how to adjust quickly in this new format.”
Quan acknowledged her silver as a testament to her perseverance amid growth challenges. “The competition was intense and fast-paced. I felt a bit drained but proud of managing my performance while adapting to changes in my height and weight,” she explained.
On the men’s side, Wang, a two-time synchronized champion, claimed gold in the 3-meter springboard with 519.25 points. Fellow Chinese diver Zheng Jiuyuan celebrated his first 500-plus-point performance, earning silver with 505.05 points. Germany’s Moritz Wesemann captured bronze with 430.45 points.
“The new format pushed us to peak from the start,” Wang shared. “I started strong but felt the energy dip in the final. It was a test of endurance.”
Zheng expressed excitement over his personal best, saying, “Reaching over 500 points is thrilling. The new format added pressure, but it also motivated me to perform better.”
Chinese divers have dominated the Super Final, sweeping all seven gold medals so far. The competition wraps up on Sunday with the women’s 3-meter springboard and men’s 10-meter platform finals.
