China snatches four synchro titles at FINA Diving World Series

IANS
Wang Han and He Zi (L)
Wang Han and He Zi (L) of China react after the Women's 3m Springboard Synchro Final

Chinese divers wrapped up four gold medals in synchro events while Ukraine took two silvers and Britain one silver and one bronze on the first day of the FINA/NVC Diving World Series 2016 on Friday.

Liu Huixia/Si Yajie, who teamed up for only three days, led the women's 10 metres synchro platform by winning 334.68 points, Tonia Couch/Lois Toulson of Britain came second with 317.46 and Mun Yee Leong/Pandelela Rinong Pamg of Malaysia third with 311.70, reports Xinhua.

Liu, who originally paired with four-time Olympic champion Chen Ruolin and claimed victory in the World Cup last month, revealed that Chen will be absent from the first two legs of the World Series.

World champions Lin Yue/Chen Aisen showed their consistency in the men's 10m synchro platform and won in 477.15, beating Maksym Dolgov/Oleksandr Gorshkovozov of Ukraine 426.21 and Thomas Daley/Daniel Goodfellow of Britain 420.15.

New pair He Zi/Wang Han dominated the women's 3m synchro springboard in 330.30, ahead of Viktoriya Kesar/Anastasia Nedobiga of Ukraine 295.98 and Tania Cagnotto/Francesca Dallape of Italy 293.79.

In men's 3m synchro springboard, Cao Yuan/Qin Kai regained the consistency and confidence they lost in the World Cup last month by winning 442.74. Russian pair Evgeny Kuznetsov/Ilia Zakharov took the silvers in 430.32 and Sam Dorman/Kristian Ipsen of the United States third in 409.08.

A total of 67 international divers, 34 women and 33 men, from 12 countries and regions took part in the three-day World Series at the National Aquatics Center, the "Water Cube".

There are 10 events on offer at the four-leg circuit World Series, including four individual events and six synchro in the men's and women's 3m springboard and 10m platform.

Edited by Staff Editor