What we learned: Diving wrap-up from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

From China's new generation of champions to Tom Daley's emotional gold medal, we reflect on diving's most memorable moments at Tokyo 2020, recap the medals, and look forward to Paris 2024.

6 min

Diving

(2021 Getty Images)

There was a sense of deja vu about diving at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Seven out of eight gold medals won by China, with Great Britain taking the other one, just as at Rio 2016.

The other similarity is that it was packed with thrilling contests featuring outrageous athleticism, heartwarming moments, and even the birth of a new star in 15-year-old Oleksii Sereda.

Leading the way for China were powerhouse divers XIE Siyi and SHI Tingmao, who both landed two gold medals.

But perhaps the most poignant moment of the event came in the men’s 10m synchro competition, where Team GB’s Tom Daley landed his first Olympic gold in his fourth Games, alongside Olympic debutant Matty Lee.

Below, we take a look back at the most memorable moments, a recap of the medal winners, and who to look out for at the Paris 2024 Olympics in just three years' time!

(2021 Getty Images)

Top 5 diving moments at Tokyo 2020

Here are some of the highlights from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which took place in 2021.

1: SHI Tingmao triumphs in adversity

China’s two most successful divers at Tokyo 2020 both experienced tough run-ups to the Games.

Shi has been open about the depression she experienced in this Olympic cycle, which at one point made her consider quitting.

For the 29-year-old to come through that, and deliver near perfect performances to retain her 3m springboard and 3m synchro gold medals is an amazing achievement.

"I really love diving and I realised that there was no way that I could give it up,” she said. "So to get to this point today was not easy."

2: XIE Siyi’s Olympic record

Xie, meanwhile, scored over 85 points with each of his six dives - an Olympic record - to run away with the men’s 3m springboard gold medal.

It was his second gold of the Games after winning the synchro title alongside WANG Zongyuan.

"To win gold here, I’ve also achieved my ‘grand slam’", said the 25-year-old who added Olympic gold to his four World Championships titles. “I’ll give myself full marks. It’s really not been easy all these years. I want to thank myself for not giving up on myself."

“I just thought to myself, 'I’ve done it.' I didn’t let everyone down. I also feel proud of myself. This is my first Olympic Games and I’ve had to go through a lot.

(2021 Getty Images)

3: Tom Daley’s first Olympic gold medal

Tom Daley plunging to 10m synchro gold alongside Matty Lee was a gold medal that plenty of diving fans wanted to see.

Thirteen years after making his Olympic debut as a 14-year-old at Beijing 2008, Daley won the only accolade missing from his cabinet.

It was a truly heartwarming moment, given all the ups and downs Daley has battled through in his storied career.

"To finally have this gold medal... I’ve been diving for 20 years, it’s my fourth Olympic Games," he said. "Lots of people would have counted me out, being the older person, but I’m in the best shape physically.

"I still can't honestly believe what is happening. That moment, being about to be announced as Olympic champions, I was gone. I was blubbering."

The 27-year-old has been the poster boy of the sport in Britain for so long and, whether or not he continues on to Paris 2024, he can consider his career complete.

4: QUAN Hongchan’s perfect 10s

China really is a conveyor belt of diving talent, and it looks like their future at the top of the sport is secure in QUAN Hongchan.

At only 14-years-old, she set the women’s 10m platform final alight with three 10s to win gold.

Quan, who won the 2020 national championships as a 13-year-old, executed two dives the judges scored unanimously as 10, with a third given as 10 after two judges' scores were discounted.

It was a spectacular performance from a young diver who has only recently burst onto the scene, but will now surely provide some of the enduring images of the Games.

5: A new star born in Oleksii Sereda

Could Oleksii Sereda be the Ukrainian Tom Daley?

The 15-year-old showed maturity well beyond his years to make the 10m platform final alongside the Briton, eventually finishing in sixth position.

Sereda first made a splash in the diving world when he became the sport’s youngest ever 10m individual European champion in 2019. He was three months younger than when Daley won his maiden continental title in 2008.

With Olympic experience now under his belt, Sereda is set for a big future.

(2021 Getty Images)

One last look at divers making history

There was a deeply emotional moment at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre for Japanese diving legend TERAUCHI Ken.

Competing in his sixth and final Olympic Games, the 40-year-old was given a standing ovation by his fellow competitors after his last dive at Tokyo 2020.

Despite finishing the final in seventh place, it was a fitting tribute on home soil for someone who embodies the Olympic spirit of friendship and excellence.

“I’m kind of disappointed I wasn’t able to get the medal,” he said after through a translator, “but I really feel appreciated by the standing ovation.”

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” he said. “I just got caught up in the Olympics. I should have left that mindset somewhere else.”

Hello Paris 2024

There could be some turnover in the Chinese team, with legendary Olympic champions like Shi Tingmao and HAN Wang nearing the end of their careers.

But expect Xie Siyi, Cao Yuan and CHEN Aisen to return in three years’ time.

It would seem that only injury could stop teenage Olympic gold medallists Quan Hongchan, Chen Yuxi and ZHANG Jiaqi from defending their titles at Paris 2024 too.

Also, keep an eye on Oleksii Sereda.

(2021 Getty Images)

When and where to watch diving replays on Olympics.com

The answer is: olympics.com/tokyo2020-replays

When do the divers compete next?

The FINA/CNSG Diving World Series kicks off 1-3 October in Kazan, before moving on to Montreal (8-10 October), Wuhan (29-31 October), and Zhuhai (5-7 November).

Full medals list in diving at Tokyo 2020 in 2021

Individual

Men's 3m springboard

Gold: XIE Siyi (CHN)

Silver: WANG Zongyuan (CHN)

Bronze: Jack Laugher (GB)

Women's 3m springboard

Gold: SHI Tingmao (CHN)

Silver: WANG Han (CHN)

Bronze: Krysta Palmer (USA)

Men's 10m platform

Gold: CAO Yuan (CHN)

Silver: YANG Jian (CHN)

Bronze: Tom Daley (GB)

Women's 10m platform

Gold: QUAN Hongchan (CHN)

Silver: CHEN Yuxi (CHN)

Bronze: Melissa Wu (AUS)

(2021 Getty Images)