Diving duo syncs to the top with golden display

DOHA — Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi gave China another diving gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships, cruising to victory in the women's synchronized 10-meter platform on Tuesday.

The result was never in doubt for the Chinese stars, who teamed up to capture their third straight world title in the event, following their one-two finish in the 10m individual event a day earlier at the Hamad Aquatic Centre in Doha.

China also romped to victory in artistic swimming in the team technical event, while Jacqueline Simoneau gave Canada its first world championship since 1991 in the sport, with a gold in the women's solo free.

Quan and Chen led comfortably after every round, setting the tone with a near-perfect opening dive, barely rippling the water as they went in side by side.

They finished with 362.22 points, receiving several perfect 10s along the way. They were far ahead of silver medalists Jo Jin-mi and Kim Mi-rae of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at 320.70, while the bronze went to Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson of Britain with 299.34.

Chen said: "I'm grateful to Quan Hongchan, because she stood by me and she gave me strength and motivation."

Quan returned the compliment, saying: "I always feel safe and assured when I compete alongside (Chen)."

The Chinese have won 13 straight world titles in women's synchronized platform since settling for silver when the event made its debut at the 1998 championships in Perth, Australia.

The Chinese women have never lost a synchronized competition off the big tower since it was added to the Summer Games program in 2000.

Quan and Chen will be overwhelming favorites for the gold at the Paris Olympics this summer.

"Although we clinched the title, our performance today was relatively average," Chen remarked on the win, noting that it has been a rigorous few days.

"Exhaustion is inevitable, the Championships demands a high level of endurance, but once we step onto the stage, we must present our best selves to meet that challenge.

"This trip to Doha not only sets out a good start for ourselves, but also for Chinese diving as a whole in 2024. It also guides our training for what lies ahead," she added.

Meanwhile, in the solo free artistic swimming (formerly known as synchronized swimming), the 27-year-old Simoneau topped the field with 264.8207 points, while Greece's Evangelia Platanioti settled for silver at 253.2833.

It was a reversal of their positions in the solo technical event, which had Platanioti taking the gold ahead of Simoneau.

The victory by Simoneau was Canada's first since Sylvie Frechette won the solo event at the 1991 worlds in Perth.

China added to its triumph in acrobatic team with gold-winning marks of 299.8712 in team technical.

Spain claimed the silver at 275.8925, edging bronze medalist Japan's 275.8787.

The United States just missed out on its second medal of the meet, finishing fourth.

China has won four gold medals in both diving and artistic swimming in the first five days of competition in Doha, the first World Aquatic Championships to be held in the Middle East.

Agencies