Wu Minxia defeated "Diving Queen" Guo Jingjing in the women's 3m
springboard while Zhou Luxin was crowned in the men's 10m platform
final.
Wu, the world and Olympic silver medalist, collected 373.40
points for the title, the 100th gold China has ever won in World
Cups.
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She edged out Russian defending champion Yuliya Pakhalina, who
earned 372.85 points in all. Guo Jingjing finished third at 368.40
points.
"I'm so pleased with the win," said Wu, "but it's a little bit
regretful that I didn't perform well in the last round. Because I
was eager to nail my final dive, so I really felt nervous at that
moment."
World and Olympic champion Guo had been regarded as the
unparalleled title favorite in the women's 3m springboard
event.
However, the 24-year-old only led the first round with a
78-point dive before executing four lackluster dives.
"First I want to congratulate the champion and the runner-up,"
said Guo, "Then I want to say sorry to the audience for my
disappointing performance tonight."
In the men's 10m platform final, Zhou Luxin, who will turn 18 at
the end of July, opened his incredible show with a forward
three-and-half dive, earning seven perfect 10s from the judges.
Then, the World Cup debutant nailed two dives above 100 points
and pulled off the gold with a total score of 567.65 points.
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"I didn't expect to get the high score tonight," said Zhou, "I
just want to say thank you to the team manager, to my coach and to
people who care about me."
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Another Chinese hopeful Lin Yue took the silver at 558.20
points. Alexy Kravchenko from Russia placed third at 477.20
points.
Lin, who will turn 15 on Monday, grabbed three golds in the
men's 10m platform at this year's Grand Prix. He earned the
day-high score of 106 points in the last round.
Lin was gripped by nerves in his World Cup debut in the
preliminary Saturday morning so as to muff his fourth and fifth
dive unexpectedly. However, he still sailed to the semi-finals with
a third placing before qualifying for the final.
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On Sunday, the final competition day for the World Cup, world
champion Guo Jingjing/Li Ting will lead nine pairs to compete in
the women's 3m synchronized springboard while 11 duos will vie for
the title of men's 10m synchronized platform.
(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2006)