Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-09-17 From: Xinhuanet

NANJING, Southeast China, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — American Troy Dumais became the only diver eliminated in the semifinals of the men’s 3m springboard at the world series event here on Saturday.

Only five divers entered the semifinals. Veteran Russian diver Dmitry Sautin withdrew from the competitions in the last minute due to back injury.

Qin Kai of China, a double gold medallist of 3m springboard and 3m sychronized diving events in the 2007 world swimming championships, led the qualifiers with 520.95 points from 6 dives. He also boosted the semifinal’s highest mark of 98 points from his fourth dive, a forward 3 and a half somersaults with tuck position.

Qin kai’s teammate He Chong, who had the highest total of degree of difficulty at 20.2, finished second at 513.80.

The other two qualifiers are 2005 world champion Alexandre Despatie of Canada and Terauchi Ken of Japan at 505.00 and 502.00 points respectively.

The three-leg world series diving meet, which was inaugurated in Sheffield, Britain two weeks ago, will end here on Sunday after eight Olympic diving events. The second leg of the series was held in Mexico City last week.

Only the top eight finishers and the top six pairs of synchronized diving of the world championships can compete in the event.