In an impressive display of skill and dominance, the Chinese diving team continued their winning streak at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar. Chang Yani emerged victorious on the 3-meter springboard, earning China its eighth gold medal in diving at the championships. Chang's teammate, Chen Yiwen, who was the two-time reigning world champion, settled for the silver. The podium was completed by South Korea's Kim Suji, who took home the bronze.
Chang's breathtaking performance included five exceptional dives, allowing her to maintain a lead throughout the competition and eventually secure the gold with a total of 354.75 points. Chen, despite her strong showing in the semifinals, fell short in the final with 336.60 points. The bronze medalist, Kim Suji, impressed with a score of 311.25.
The Chinese dominance extended beyond diving, as they also claimed the team free title in artistic swimming. This victory marked their sixth gold medal in artistic swimming at the championships. With such stellar performances, Chang and Chen are now considered heavy favorites to battle for springboard gold at the upcoming Paris Olympics. The Chinese duo has proven their worth in synchronization as well, securing the synchronized 3-meter title in Doha.
China's dominance in diving is not new. Since their emergence in 1984, they have won a remarkable 47 out of 72 diving gold medals at various competitions. The Chinese have been even more dominant in recent years, winning 38 out of 48 gold medals in diving events since the Olympic program expanded in 2000.
While the Chinese team has achieved incredible success in diving, they have yet to achieve a clean sweep by winning all eight diving events at a single Olympics. They have come close, winning seven golds on three occasions, most recently at the Tokyo Games in 2021. As they head to Paris, they will undoubtedly have their sights set on making history by securing a clean sweep in all diving events.
The final two diving events of the World Aquatics Championships will take place on Saturday at the Hamad Aquatic Centre. Meanwhile, the Aspire Dome will host the conclusion of artistic swimming with the mixed duet free event. Following the conclusion of these events, the focus will shift to the highly anticipated swimming competition, which begins on Sunday.
China's impressive performance at the World Aquatics Championships has solidified their reputation as one of the greatest dynasties in Olympic sports. With 14 gold medals out of 26 events so far, they have showcased their dominance and left no doubt they are one of the teams to beat. As the first world championships held in the Middle East come to a close, China's presence and excellence in aquatic sports continue to shine brightly.
