World Aquatics Championships 2023: Chen Yuxi, Quan Hongchan otherworldly in winning women's 10m platform gold and silver
The reigning Olympic and world champion divers from the People's Republic of China outclass the field in Fukuoka.
Diving
It wasn't even close.
Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan capped a Chinese one-two in the women's 10m platform at the World Aquatics Championships 2023 on Wednesday (19 July), putting more than 100 points on the bronze medallist, Caeli McKay of Canada.
The Olympic and world champions ran away from it start to finish as the People's Republic of China made it a perfect nine-for-nine in the diving competition in Fukuoka, Japan.
Chen scored 457.85 points to win her second gold medal of these championships. She also topped the podium in the 10m synchronised platform with Quan.
For Tokyo 2020 Olympian McKay, it was her first career world medal - and also earned Canada a berth at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The top three finishers won their National Olympic Committees a quota for the Games next summer.
- World Aquatics Championships 2023: Chinese divers make it 8 of 8 with mixed team event victory
- World Aquatics Championships 2023: Chinese teens Chen/Quan dominate women's 10m synchro
- World Aquatics Championships 2023: Wang/Long triumph in men's 3m synchro, secure Paris 2024 quota
- Top facts to know about Chinese diver Wang Zongyuan
- How to qualify for diving at Paris 2024
Chinese fans root for their countrywomen in the 10m platform on Wednesday.
Chen was floored by emotion following her victory. China is now four gold medals away from sweeping the entire diving competition for a second straight world championships.
"I am very happy and excited," Chen told media including Olympics.com following the win. "We tried hard for the China team to earn our qualification to the next Olympics, and we have nine gold medals.
"When I won one gold and one silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, my dream was half fulfilled. Now I have higher goals. There are bigger dreams waiting for me to pursue.
"We really are a team - we train together, stay together, take care of each other like family. When I face challenges, they help me, comfort me and encourage me.
"I have no idea what I want to do after finishing the competition in Fukuoka. I will just keep practicing hard and maintain my condition to perform even better."
Equally moved was McKay. A less-than-ideal fourth dive of 44.55 nearly cost her a place on the podium but held firm for the final leap of faith - and was rewarded.
"I am extremely emotional right now. I am very proud of myself," McKay told us. "It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster of an event, with a lot of ups and downs.
"My philosophy in diving is that it's never over until it's over. There are five dives for a reason and the last dive for me is usually a consistent one.
"I just tried to be strong and confident, knowing that I had to nail my last dive. To pull through and actually nail that dive felt really really good.
"It's going to feel so amazing to show this medal to my friends and family. Today’s triumph has been a long time in the making, and I think they are going to be really proud."