The Chinese pair of Chen Ruolin and Liu Huixia eased to victory in Monday’s world championship final of the women’s 10m synchronised platform in Barcelona.
Canadians Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion claimed silver in a dramatic finish as they produced a fine final dive to edge out the Malaysian pair of Pandelela Rinong Pamg and Mun Yee Leong by less than three tenths of a point.
The 20-year-old Chen now has a remarkable nine gold medals to her name having also won the 10 metre synchronised and individual platform events at the 2008 and last year Olympic Games and the world championships on home soil in 2011, as well as synchronised gold at the 2007 and 2009 world championships.
Chen had previously been partnered by Wang Hao for her most recent golds in London and Shanghai. However, Liu proved a capable replacement as the pair took a comfortable six point lead after their first dive and their superiority was never threatened on their way to recording a tally of 356.28 points.
“Our coach often tells us: when you step down from the podium, you start again from zero,” a delighted Chen said afterwards.