Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-09-17 From: Xinhuanet

NANJING, Southeast China, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese pair LinYue and Huo Liang claimed the opening gold here on Saturday at the2007 Diving World Series, making three consecutive wins in the men’s 10m platform synchronized event at the three-leg World Series.

The teenage duo, who won the event at the FINA World Championships in Melbourne this March, led the three pairs of finalists since the first round. Although they failed to keep the synchronization in the last dive, Lin and Huo pulled off the gold with a total score of 487.80 points.

“We feel a little bit tired during the competition,” said Huo, “So we didn’t done well enough this time. But in general, we are satisfied with the result.”

Erick Fornaris and Jose Guerra from Cuba followed the home pairwith 447.12 points. American duet Thomas Finchum and David Boudia finished third at 427.68 points.

Boudia and Finchum grabbed the bronze of this event in Melbourne while Fornaris and Guerra were the fourth finished pair at the 12th World Championships.

Having competed in Britain and Mexico respectively in the first two legs of the World Series in the past two weeks, several divers were too tired to perform in the final stop in Nanjing.

The inaugural Diving World Series is reserved for the cream of the crop in the sport: the top-eight from the World Championships in the individual events and the top-six in the synchronized events.

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.

Updated: 2007-09-17 From: Xinhuanet

NANJING, Southeast China, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — World champion Wang Xin led China a one-two finish in the semifinals of the women’s 10m platform at the world diving series event here on Saturday.

Wang, who won the title in the 2007 swimming worlds, totaled 434.80 points from her five beautifully executed dives. Her teammate Chen Ruolin, a synchronized diving specialist who won the title in the swimming worlds together with partner Jia Tong, finished a distant second at 388.85.

Paola Espinosa of Mexico ranked third in the semifinals, totaling 370.65. Emillie Heymans of Canada completed the qualifiers’ list with a total of 361.00 points.

The finals of the men’s 3m springboard, women’s 10m platform, women’s 3m springboard synchronized diving and men’s 10m platform synchronized diving will be held later on Saturday.

The three-leg world series diving tournament was inaugurated in Sheffield, Britain two weeks ago while the second leg of the event was held in Mexico City last week.

Only the top eight finishers of individual events and the top six of synchronized diving events at the world championships can take part in the tournament.

Updated: 2007-08-19 From: Xinhuanet

BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — Italian cyclist Bosisio Gabriele won the men’s road race at the “2007 Good Luck Beijing” International Road Cycling Tournament here on Saturday.

In Beijing’s August scorching sun, Bosisio clocked four hours and 27 minutes and 14 seconds to take the gold after covering the 174 kilometers course.

Alexandr Dyachenko of Kazakhstan took the silver in 4:27:17, while the bronze medal went to Vincenzo Nibali of Italy with a result of 4:28:01.

Updated: 2007-08-18 From: Xinhuanet

BANGKOK, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — Seven gold medals in the Bangkok University Games sounded alarm to the Chinese diving Dream Team for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

China pocketed 10 out of 12 golds in the 2005 Universiade in Turkey.

“As we’ve seen here we are in some way fallback from the Izmir (Universiade in 2005),” said Bai Yongzheng, Chinese diving team manager on Saturday.

“We don’t have the first-team here and some of the young divers were inexperienced. It’s also obvious that our opponents are catching up fast,” he added.

Mexico’s Paola Espinosa won two gold, one silver and one bronze in the women’s springboard and platform, proving to be strong challenge to China in the Beijing Games.

“She has the ability to beat anyone, including the bests from China, if she repeated her performances in the women’s 10m platform preliminary round,” Bai said.

The 21-year-old, trained by former Beijing coach Ma Jin of China, led all the way into the final ahead of the eventual winner Lao Lishi of China.

Mexico won the women’s team gold medal because of Espinosa’s brilliant efforts.

Lao, however, is confident to stamp China’s domination on diving in the Olympics.

“I know her shortcoming. I’ve been watching her in several competitions. I’m not to worried about who is coming out for us. I just do my job here,” the Olympic silver-medalist said.

Updated: 2007-08-18 From: Xinhuanet

Li Ting (L) and Hou Yuanyuan of China is in the final of women’s 3m springboard synchronized diving at the 24th Universiade in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 18, 2007. Li and Hou got the silver medal of the event.(Xinhua Photo)

BANGKOK, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — Mexican divers Paola Espinosa and Tatiana Ortiz intercepted China’s gold haul on Saturday in the women’s 3m springboard synchronized at the Universiade here.

The Mexicans spoiled China’s hope to win all the four events featured on the last day of the tournament after it had already pocketed the first two gold medals of the day.

Trailing by 6.60 points after two rounds, Espinosa/Ortiz closed the gap on every following jump and surpassed Chinese Li Ting/Hou Yuanyuan to win the match up with 324.30 points.

Li/Hou scored 322.80 points for the silver while Christina Loukas/Amanda Miller of the United States on third.

This was the fourth medal for Espinosa, who had one gold, one silver and one bronze before the victory.

Updated: 2007-08-18 From: Xinhuanet

BANGKOK, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — Olympic champion Hu Jia and teammate Wang Liang finished one-two placings in Saturday’s men’s 10m platform competition as the Bangkok University Games here.

Hu, who won the 10m platform at the 2004 Athens Games, added another diving gold to China with 512.20 points.

Wang scored 98.60 points, three 10 poionts and four 9.5 points, on the last round to collect 477.35 for the silver.

“I was placed 7th at the start. I gave no blink of thought to my position, but to do my best,” Wang said.

Oleg Vikulov of Russia won the bronze by 463.20 points.

Four diving events will be played on Saturday and six gold medals, including two team events, are on stake with China on the way for a sweep.