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August 22, 2016

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Home » Sports » Diving

Chen caps golden Games for China

CHEN Aisen capped a golden Olympics for China in diving on Saturday winning the men’s 10 meter platform for his country’s seventh gold in eight events on the final day of competition.

The 20-year-old, already a winner in the 10m synchronized platform in Rio, scored 585.30 points after his six dives at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center — breaking the 100-point mark for three of them to return the title to China for the first time since 2004

It also saw China surpass its previous best from Beijing 2008 with seven gold, two silvers and a bronze to become the most successful nation in diving at a single Olympics in Rio

Mexico’s German Sanchez (532.70) won silver, with American David Boudia (525.25), the gold medalist from London 2012, taking bronze.

“I came here looking for two gold medals and I’ve achieved my dream,” said Chen, who led the way for five of the six dives.

“I never thought I would get this medal for diving and I am still in a state of shock.

“Every athlete did really well and we all put in a lot of effort to come to the Olympics.”

Boudia, 27, had taken the lead after his second dive, but lost his grip on silver with his final forward 4-1/2 somersaults tuck.

“It’s been a struggle and to miss a dive but still become a bronze medalist at the Olympics is extremely satisfying,” said the Texan, who won a fourth Olympic medal.

Sanchez becomes the first Mexican on the men’s platform podium since Alvaro Gaxiola’s silver at the 1968 Mexico City Games.

It was the 24-year-old’s second Olympic medal after his men’s 10m platform synchro silver in London four years ago.

Chen’s teammate Qiu Bo, a silver medalist behind Boudia in 2012 and a three-time world champion, dropped to sixth place after missing two of his dives.

“It was my dream,” said a disappointed Qiu, 23.

“I think (Chen won) because he didn’t really think a lot, so he performed well. We have all trained for so many years together, so I am happy for him.”

Tom Daley of Britain, who had been expected to be a contender, was ousted in the semifinals after he botched three of his six dives to come in last.

The only title China failed to win in Rio was the men’s 3m synchro springboard where Britain’s Jack Laugher and Chris Mears took gold, with the Chinese settling for bronze.

In the men’s competition, Chen and Lin Yue also won the synchronized platform and Cao Yuan the 3m springboard.

The women swept all their titles — Ren Qian, 15, taking the 10m platform; Shi Tingmao the 3m springboard; Chen Ruolin and Liu Huixia the synchro platform; and Shi and Wu Minxia, the 3m synchro springboard.




 

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