China claim one-two in the women’s 3m springboard for ninth diving gold at World Aquatics C’ships
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Chinese diver Chen Yiwen claims gold in the women's 3m springboard diving event at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Aug 2.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- Chen Yiwen wins gold in the women's 3m springboard diving at the World Aquatics Championships with 389.70 points, reclaiming her 2023 title.
- Chen Jia finished second (356.40 points) despite "technical issues", while Chiara Pellacani came third (323.20 points).
- Chen Yiwen seeks internal motivation, while Pellacani targets improved dives.
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SINGAPORE – Despite a slow start, Olympic diving champion Chen Yiwen showed her prowess in the women’s 3m springboard at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) on Aug 2, when she came from behind to reclaim her title.
At the OCBC Aquatic Centre, Chen – who won the gold in the 2023 edition in Fukuoka, Japan – had entered the finals as the top qualifier, but the Chinese diver trailed for two rounds behind leader and compatriot Chen Jia.
A strong third-dive performance saw her leapfrog into the lead, which she never relinquished.
The 26-year-old eventually finished top after five rounds with 389.70 points, ahead of Chen Jia’s 356.40. Italy’s Chiara Pellacani was third in 323.20.
Yiwen’s triumph in Singapore was her ninth world title overall, as well as the ninth diving gold for China at the 2025 championships.
When asked if she had a slow start, she said: “Not really, I think it was my first move, which has always had technical issues.”
The Chinese diver had earlier claimed gold in the mixed 3m and 10m team event on July 26, before partnering Chen Jia to win the women’s 3m synchronised on July 29.
On being world champion again, she added: “It gives me a bit more confidence for the future. Actually, I was quite worried during the last jump because there were (loud) noises outside... I was worried it might have an impact.”
World championships debutante Chen Jia, 20, said: “Actually, in the first round, I was quite confident, but in the second and third round, there were some technical issues.
“It may look easy, but when you stand on the board, with that atmosphere and that responsibility, it’s an invisible pressure.
“Also with so many years of stable performances (from China) in the women’s events, we definitely need to keep moving forward.
“I think for this competition, I’m not too satisfied... But for a first world championships trip, I’m quite satisfied.”
China’s Chen Jia competing in the women’s 3m springboard diving final at the World Aquatics Championships on Aug 2.
PHOTO: EPA
Pellacani, who won the mixed 3m synchronised with partner Matteo Santoro on July 30, said: “It was my goal to get a medal in this event after (finishing in) fourth place at the Olympic Games in Paris. And we worked really hard for this. So I’m very, very happy.
“I always start low on the first round, but the most important thing is to keep it very consistent, and that’s what I did during the preliminary round, semi-final and final.
“I know there are still some things that I have to improve in my diving, for example, my entry can be better.”
The men’s 10m platform semi-final and final will be contested on the final day of the championships on Aug 3.
