FINA World Championships Budapest 2022, as it happened: China sweep diving medals and Spain win men's water polo

Chinese diving stars Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani teamed up to seal a comfortable women's 3m synchronised gold medal at the 2022 FINA World Championships on Sunday 3rd July.

That meant all the pressure was on one of their compatriots, Yang Hao and Yang Jian, to win the men's 10m platform title and maintain China's perfect diving record in Budapest across the 13 events.

Despite being pushed by Japanese teenage sensation Tamai Rikuto all the way, Yang Jian was able to come from behind and retain his world title.

There was no less drama in the men's water polo final, which was a rematch of the 2019 final: Italy v Spain.

In the end, 2019 silver medallists Spain were able to avenge that loss in a thrilling sudden-death penalty shootout.

Olympics.com is carried live updates the entire day from Budapest, which you can re-live as they happened below.

All times Central European Time (UTC/GMT +2 hours). Most recent updates first.

What an amazing way to finish the penultimate day of action here at the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest.

9:30 pm - Goodbye!

Such a thrilling final day of action was the perfect end to the 2022 FINA World Championships.

USA finished on top of the medal table with 18 golds, 14 silvers and 17 bronze - a truly monumental effort.

China's diving heroics saw them finish second with 18 golds, two silvers and eight bronze.

A congratulations to Budapest for staging such a successful event with just four months notice, due to original host Fukuoka, Japan, postponing with COVID safety concerns.

Speaking of which, Fukuoka will get to host the World Championships next year in 2023... so it's "sayonara" for now, but we'll see you again in Japan!

Thank you for joining us these last 16 days.

9:20 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Spain win men's water polo

The 2019 runners up scored through Rocha, Ortega, and Gonfauswhile Italy replied through Damonte, Echenique and Di Fulvio.

Egaña and Cannella both missed, meaning it went to sudden death, and a new rotation of the same players.

Ortega scored once more for Spain, before Aguirre saved from Cannella for the second time - and that settles the match.

9:00 pm - Penalties!

Spain restore their three-goal cushion via. Martin Faměra, but Italy hit back with a controversial penalty through a controversial Francesco di Fulvio penalty.

That transfers momentum back to the reigning world champs, who draw level with three minutes to go through Vincenzo Dolce and Nicholas Presciutti.

And normal time ends at 9-9. The world championships will be decided by a penalty shootout.

8:30 pm - Italy rebound

The third starts in the same fashion, with a goal from Felipe Perrone Rocha making it 7-3.

Italy need to act quick, and do through a Luca Marziali goal.

But that is promptly cancelled out by a fourth from Ortega from the left.

This match is being played at a frenetic pace, with Cannella and Andrea Fondelli goals taking the momentum back to Italy as the whistle goes.

It's 8-6 going into the final quarter and we're in for another amazing finish!

8:20 pm - Spain surge ahead

Last year's runners up dominate the second period 3-0, meaning they take a half-time lead at 6-3.

Ortega adds a double for his hat-trick before captain Roger Tahull gets in on the scoring action with a well-taken finish of a team effort.

Spain just seem to want this more.

8:10 pm - Even after first quarter

It's the final event of the 2022 FINA World Championships: The men's water polo gold medal match.

A repeat of 2019's final could not have been more fitting.

But there's no time to be sentimental as 2019 runners-up Spain come racing out of the bocks with early goals from Álvaro Granados Ortega and Alberto Munarriz Egaña.

Italy did look shell-shocked, but have found their legs with Edoardo di Somma clawing one back.

But Egaña has his double via a terrific long-range shot, but Giacomo Cannella and Lorenzo Bruni get Italy back into the game and it's honours even at 3-3 after the first quarter.

6:30 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Yang Jian wins men's 10m platform

It was nerve-wracking to the end, but Olympic silver medallist Yang Jian has come from behind to retain his world title with an unmatchable 102.50 forward 4.5 somersaults pike.

In doing so, he has secured China's 13th gold medal from 13 diving competitions at the 2022 FINA World Championships. What an incredible statistic.

Silver goes to Tamai Rikuto, who recomposed himself like a seasoned veteran (despite only being 15) to nail a 2.5 somersaults 2.5 twist pike that earned him 95.40.

China's Yang Hao completed the podium with a forward 4.5 somersaults pike worth 85.10.

Final standings:

Gold: Yang Jian (China) - 515.55

Silver: Tamai Rikuto (Japan) - 488.00

Bronze: Yang Hao (China) - 485.45

6:03 pm - Rousseau makes his move

Australia's Cassiel Rousseau has made a late play for top spot with his third-consecutive dive in the 80s.

This time is was the back 3.5 somersault tuck, which was awarded 84.6.

Zsombor-Murray's challenge has dissipated simultaneously/ He's now back in sixth after a wobbly 57.80 reverse 3.5 somersault tuck.

Tamai then slips to second after scoring just 56.50 from a reverse 3.5 somersault tuck.

Inevitably, Yang Jian pounces on the opportunity and reclaims top spot with an astounding 91.80 back 3.5 somersault pike.

Yang Hao is in third position going in to the final round after scoring just 64.80 from the same routine.

It's everything to play for, for all three medals.

5:45 pm - Chinese divers close in on Tamai

The top three remain the same after round 4 with Tamai adding 86.40 for his armstand back 2 somersault 2.5 twist pike.

Yang Hao is right behind him with a splashless reverse 3.5 somersault tuck that is awarded 9s and 9.5s, and 96.90 overall.

His compatriot Yang Jian also rebounds with an armstand back triple somersault pike worth 89.25. He's now in third.

Tamai will need some more magic to hold onto first place as we enter the penultimate round.

5:30 pm - Tamai takes the lead!

Well this wasn't part of the script...

Yang Hao and Yang Jian both make uncharacteristic mistakes, and Japanese 15-year-old Tamai Rikuto nails an incredible 99.90 forward 4.5 somersaults tuck to take top spot.

Yang Hao is now third, but the rollercoaster ride continues for Yang Jian, who is now seventh.

Smelling an opportunity, Oleksii Sereda of Ukraine takes second with an 88.20 armstand back two somersault 2.5 twists routine.

That means the top five are all right in the gold-medal hunt.

5:20 pm - Yang Hao rebounds

He wasn't behind for long! Yang Hao goes top with an impressive armstand backwards triple somersault that is awarded 87.50.

His compatriot Yang Jian drops to second after his inward 3.5 somersault tuck worth 72.0.

Zsombor-Murray is still in touch in third with 77.70 of his forward 4.5 somersaults tuck.

But he will be aware of Great Britain's Noah Williams, who has just executed an amazing inward 3.5 somersault for 81.00.

5:10 pm - Jian on fire!

Twelve divers, six dives, it's time for the men's 10m platform final!

And what a start from Nathan Zsombor-Murray! The Canadian has just been awarded almost all 9s across the board for his inward 3.5 somersault tuck! That's 86.4 and top place overall.

Defending champion and Olympic silver medallist Yang Jian then trumps that with an astonishing 93.5 for his reverse 3.5 somersault tuck! The roar is deafening.

Last up is No. 1 seed Yang Hao of China, who has to settle for third after Round 1 with a back 2.5 somersault 1.5 twists 'only' worth 86.4.

That is perhaps the highest-scoring start of any diving even in Budapest.

4:30 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Greece win men's water polo bronze

Greece have emerged 9-7 winners from an almighty clash with Croatia in the men's water polo bronze-medal match.

The Olympic silver medallists won the first three quarters, but powerhouse side Croatia staged a late comeback, winning the final segment of the match 2-1.

Konstantinos Kakaris was on fire all match and was awarded the player of the match award.

4:11 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Chen and Chang win women's 3m synchronised

A huge roar goes up as Chen and Chang, quickly becoming household names in China, comfortably land the gold medal thanks to their 2.5 somersault pike 1 twist.

They were awarded 79.20, and 343.14 overall. Simply a model of consistency and excellence. That also means China maintain their perfect record in diving at these world championships.

The intense battle for second is won by Japan's Mikami and Kaneto, who show nerves of steel to land a backward 2.5 somersault pike worth 69.2.

There was a nervous wait as Keeney and Smith, knowing they needed perfection to snatch silver at the death, plunged down for their 2.5 somersault pike 1 twist routine.

But their synchronisation is ever so slightly off, and they settle for third with 61.20.

Final standings:

Gold: Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani (China) - 343.14

Silver: Mikami Sayaka and Kaneto Rin (Japan) - 303.00

Bronze: Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith (Australia) - 294.12

4:00 pm - Keeney and Smith in hunt for silver

Is that the winning jump? The Chinese pace setters find their best form to deliver a forward 3.5 somersault pike, and are awarded 9s and 8s for a total of 81.84.

Keeney and Smith close the gap between themselves and second-placed Mikami and Kaneto to just a point, meaning one slip up from either will likely cost them a medal placing. What a fantastic competition between them.

Still in the fight for a podium place are Canada's Mia Vallee and Margo Elam, who are 9 points off the chase thanks to their backward 2.5 somersault pike worth 66.60.

One last jump each!

3:31 pm - Brazilians wobble

It took two jumps to get to 100, but Chen and Chang are nearing 200 after three!

The Chinese pair are slightly out of synch but the execution is perfect, meaning they get 76.50 for their reverse 1.5 somersault tuck, and are in gold medal position at the halfway point with 182.10.

Mikami and Kaneto get 72.00 for the same jump, and are just about keeping in touch with 168 overall. They will need something spectacular to catch up, but at the same time won't want to risk their silver medal.

But Brazilians Martins Dos Santos and Lira have got their execution wrong causing a splash and drop down the leaderboard with a 55.08.

3:20 pm - Hundred up for China

How's this for consistency: Chen and Chang bring up the hundred with exactly the same score as their last dive, but this time for a reverse pike dive.

The top three stay the same with Mikami Sayaka and Kaneto Rin and Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith getting 46.8 and 46.2 respectively.

Brazilian pair Anna Martins Dos Santos and Luana Lira are just two points of the Aussies, after getting 45.6 for their reverse dive pike.

3:10 pm - Chen and Chani get Chinese fans cheering

Red-shirted Chinese fans have packed out the diving end of the Duna Arena every evening, creating an excellent atmosphere.

And they've already been given something to cheer about as Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani take the lead in this 12-team women's 3m synchronised final.

The individual springboard medallists were awarded 52.9 for their imperious back dive pike, all 8.5s and 9s from the judges.

Japan's Mikami Sayaka and Kaneto Rin are second thanks to their forward dive pike worth 49.2.

And Australian duo Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith have picked up where they left off this morning with a back dive pike for 48.6.

2:00 pm - Home heroes get the win

Hungary's men's water polo team bow out of the 2022 FINA World Championships with a hard-fought 8-6 win over Montenegro.

There was a nervous moment in the final quarter when their opponents mounted a late comeback, but the hosts were given one final boost by their passionate fans to see out the win, and 7th place overall.

1:20 pm - Hungary up at half time

Hungary's men are looking to finish their water polo campaign with a bang.

The hosts are are currently 4-2 up against Montenegro at half-time in this 7th/8th placement match.

Despite no medals being awarded here, another fantastic crowd has turned out to support their team in Budapest's sun.

12:00 pm - Chen and Chang take No. 1 seeds

It's another solid effort from Chen and Chang, who win the prelims with a total of 317.73 after a front 2.5 somersault 1 twist pike wroth 71.10.

No one even got close to them in any of the five rounds - quite superb.

Second overall goes to Keeney and Smith with a 65.7 for the same routine, for 287.04 overall. They've found some great consistency there.

Hentschel and Punzel took third with 282.87, also with three jumps in the 60s, while fourth-placed Vallee and Erlam will be happy with their 282.60.

Joining them in the final this evening will be Japanese duo Mikami Sayaka and Kaneto Rin, Sabri and Ng, and USA's Brooke Shultz and Kristen Hayden.

11:50 am - Keeney and Smith enter the top three

Chen and Chang turn up the heat with a forward 3.5 somersault pike that is awarded 75.33, and they are almost guaranteed a place in this evening's final.

After a slow start, Australia's Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith find a lovely synchronisation to land a jump worth 63.24 for the same routine. They're up to second.

But Sabri and Ng don't find much success on the same dive, with Sabri entering the water significantly before her partner. They drop down with a 54.87.

11:10 am - China off to a flyer in diving

The women's 3m synchro prelims have started like all others before them in Budapest: With China setting the standard.

Yesterday's individual springboard medallists Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani have roared into the lead with 171.30 at the halfway point.

They look relaxed out there, and the pick of their three round-winning dives so far was an inward 2.5 somersault pike worth 71.1.

Thirty points below them in second is Malaysia's Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Yan Yee Ng, who started conservatively with two jumps in the 40s before nailing the inward 2.5 somersault pike and getting 68.4.

But it's very tight for that third place with Germany's Lena Hentschel and Tina Punzel three points back in fourth, while individual silver medallist Mia Vallee and her Canadian teammate Margo Erlam are going well in fifth.

10:15 am - Medal table

China have won every diving title in Budapest so far.

As a result, they've shot up the medal table and are now just two gold medals behind the USA.

And would you believe it, there are two more diving competitions today.

However, the USA's far superior medal count overall means they are safe at the top of the pile for 2022.

9:20 am - Matty Lee: Rediscovering his fire

Matty Lee will compete for the men's 10m platform final this evening, having evolved as an athlete and a man since winning gold alongside Tom Daley at Tokyo 2020.

The 24-year-old previously focused only on the synchro event, but after becoming Olympic champion his love of diving started to subside.

Lee struggled mentally, but after reaching out to as many athletes as he could, he was able to get back on track and rediscovered his love for the sport as both a synchro and individual athlete.

See our exclusive chat with him below.

8:45 am - About last night...

It was a cauldron of atmosphere at the packed Alfréd Hajós National Swimming Stadium last night, with a very partisan home crowd.

Hungary mounted a late fightback in the final quarter to make it a one-point game, but the reigning Olympic champions USA ultimately had the experience to see out a fourth-consecutive world title.

Madeline Musselman stayed cool under immense pressure to nail two crucial penalties.

8:30 am - Today's programme

Good morning and welcome back to the 2022 FINA World Championships live blog in Budapest.

It's day 16, the final day of action, but don't despair as there are still three medals to be won.

First up, we have the women's 3m synchronised heats and final, where yesterday's individual springboard gold and bronze medallists, Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani respectively, have teamed up to take the favourites tag.

The final diving event of the competition is the men's 10m platform final, where British champion Matty Lee will lock horns one more time against the likes of China's Yang Hao, 16-year-old Ukrainian Oleksii Sereda, and 16-year-old Tamai Rikuto from Japan.

Over at the water polo, we have the men's gold medal match between Italy and Spain, in what is a repeat from the 2019 final.

Here's today's diving schedule:

11:00 am - Women's 3m synchronised prelims

3:00 pm - Women's 3m synchronised final

5:00 pm - Men's 10m platform final