China

He misses podium at World Cup

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-07-21 08:42
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Title favorite He Chong of China missed the podium of men's 3-meter springboard event on Thursday as he shockingly failed to collect any point in the first round of the FINA Diving World Cup.

He misses podium at World Cup
Title favorite He Chong of China missed the podium of men's 3-meter springboard event as he shockingly failed to collect any point in the first round of the FINA Diving World Cup July 20, 2006. [Xinhua]

He's teammate Qin Kai clinched the title with a total score of 538.50 points. Alexander Dobroskok from Russia and American Troy Dumais followed at 476.65 and 475.15 points respectively.

The 20-year-old Qin said: "I had never thought about winning the gold tonight as my teammate He was so formidable in the springboard."

Qin admitted that He's failure in the first dive put some pressure on him but he was pleased to take it.

Qin's only medal in this year's Grand Prix is a silver in Russia, where he beat Alexander Dobroskok to third but failed to surpass veteran Dmitry Sautin in the 3m springboard event.

Though failing to complete a forward three-and-a-half somersault, He earned high scores from the judges thereafter with five sensational dives, in particular his fourth and sixth dives which both collected score above 100 points.

Finally, He overtook Ken Terauchi to finish fifth with 468.65 points, 0.5 point ahead of the Japanese.

In last year's world championship, He placed third in the 3m springboard event and grabbed a gold in the 3m springboard synchronized event with veteran Wang Feng. He also obtained three gold and two silver medals from the 3m springboard event of this year's Grand Prix.

In the 1m springboard final on Wednesday, He firmly held the top position since the first round and finished first with 505.65 points, 60.10 points ahead of second-placed teammate Luo Yutong.