World Aquatics Championships 2023: People's Republic of China top diving's mixed team event to make it eight from eight
Chinese capture their eighth gold medal in Fukuoka, now five away from completing their third sweep at a world championships.
Diving
Chinese divers stayed on course for a golden sweep of the medals at the World Aquatics Championships 2023 as they won the mixed team event on Tuesday (18 July).
Five days into the meet in Fukuoka, Japan, the stranglehold at the top of the podium by the People's Republic of China remained firm as they netted their eighth gold medal from as many events.
China totaled 489.65 points after the six rounds, 34 ahead of runners-up Mexico and more than 57 over bronze medallists Germany.
The People's Republic of China won their eighth diving gold medal in Fukuoka on Tuesday (18 July).
There was never any doubt as to where China would finish on this night, with the competition becoing effectively a race for second and third place.
Si Yajie - now a five-time world champion - sparked the onslaught on the women's 3m sprinboard (75.95) and the Chinese never looked back. The 16-year-old Bai Yuming carried the team, diving in three rounds.
Bai said he was nervous but his composure belied his age when the chips were down.
"It was challenging for me to overcome the pressure. For the team event, I felt a lot of pressure," he said.
"If I make any mistake, all other divers will suffer. I won the gold medal at the 2022 world championships, but that was only two (of us). This year we are four.
"So I felt more pressure than last year. I also feel support from my team, but I feel more responsibility."
Added Si, "Overall, I am satisfied with my dive today. That was my first competition for the springboard yet I could show a very good level of performance.
"I have participated in many international competitions but I still get very nervous, like it's my first time."
Five diving gold medals remain on offer at these championships with the women's 10m platform final scheduled for Wednesday.
The sweep of world titles has happened only three times in history - China last year in Budapest and in 2011, and the United States in 1982.