Comeback. It's a word Chinese athletes are learning fast. And for diver Peng Bo, it's an especially appropriate word. His name, Bo, means 'never give up'.
Peng just did that - he never surrendered - from start to finish to grab China's fourth diving gold medal in the men's individual 3m springboard, making amends for China's performance in the synchronised platform, where partner Wang Kenan's dreadful error cost China an almost certain gold medal.
Peng became the latest Chinese athlete to make a comeback from an earlier disaster. Gymnast Teng Haibin won gold in the pommel horse after a forgettable performance in the men's team event.
This time, Peng finished strongly at the Olympic Aquatic Centre as he outclassed his rivals to grab gold. He executed a final dive that had a 3.5-degree of difficulty - a forward 21/2 somersault with two twists.
Peng climbed from the pool and bowed toward screaming Chinese fans before hugging his coach and teammates. 'Everything is all right now. It was a very satisfying performance. It was brilliant,' said the 23-year-old university student, who received a standing ovation following his last dive, which earned him a total of 787.38 points.
'I could have never imagined this would come true. This is an incredible moment for me. I still cannot believe it. I feel that was the best performance of my career.'
