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Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
SportChina

Tokyo Olympics: China takes gold and silver in 3m springboard as diving dominance continues

  • China secures an emphatic victory in the 3m springboard
  • China has now won gold in five of the six diving disciplines completed so far

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China’s Xie Siyi added the Olympic title to his world title. Photo: AFP
Paul Rydingin Tokyo
China secured gold and silver in the men’s three-metre springboard event at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on Tuesday to maintain its almost total dominance of the diving pool at these Tokyo Games.
Xie Siyi scored 558.75 in the final to ensure he claimed gold, adding the Olympic title to his world title, and fending off his 3m synchro partner – with whom he already secured the gold at Tokyo 2020 – Wang Zongyuan, who took silver with 534.90.

“I’ll give myself full marks,” Xie said. “It’s really not been easy all these years. I want to thank myself for not giving up on myself.”

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Xie’s provincial coach, Wu Guocun, died suddenly in June and the gold medal-winner said he was reminded of the former Guangdong coach, who groomed many of China’s top divers, during the final.

“In that moment, I felt like all the stress and burdens I was carrying had been relieved,” Xie said. “Before the competition, I didn’t think too much. I kept thinking of my coach’s voice, coach Wu. His voice was constantly on my mind. I just kept reminding myself (of him).

05:28

Chinese gymnasts beat American Simone Biles to claim gold and silver Olympic medals on beam

Chinese gymnasts beat American Simone Biles to claim gold and silver Olympic medals on beam

“I just thought to myself, ‘I’ve done it’. I didn’t let everyone down. I also feel proud of myself. This is my first Olympic Games and I’ve had to go through a lot. To win gold here, I’ve also achieved my personal ‘grand slam’.”

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