Gold medalists Quan Hongchan (R)/Chen Yuxi of China attend the awarding ceremony of the women's synchronised 10m platform at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
China claimed two gold medals as the diving events at the Hangzhou Asian Games got underway.
HANGZHOU, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- China kicked off its gold medal haul in diving with two synchronized titles at the Hangzhou Asiad here on Saturday.
Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi opened their first Asian Games campaign with the women's 10m platform synchro gold.
The two teenage divers, who have won all major titles in the women's 10m platform event over the last three years, dominated from start to finish, scoring 375.30 points to clinch the gold medal.
"I think it's an average performance. The score is still relatively good, but the two of us didn't perform particularly well," Chen said. "I am very excited to win China's first diving gold at the Hangzhou Asiad."
Yan Siyu and He Chao compete in the men's synchronised 3m springboard final. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Matsuri Arai and Minami Itahashi of Japan were 85.26 points behind and took silver. The bronze medal went to Malaysian duo Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Pandelela Rinong Pamg, who finished with 266.94.
China also dominated the men's 3m springboard synchro with stable performances from veteran He Chao and young diver Yan Siyu.
He and Yan collected 422.55 points to win the title, while South Korea's Yi Jae-gyeong and Woo Ha-ram ranked second in 393.00. Malaysia's Muhammad Syafiq Bin Puteh and Liang Ooi Tze came third with 380.22.
"I retired after the Rio Olympic Games but decided to come back after the Tokyo Games," said He, who had failed to make the 3m springboard semifinal at the Rio Games. "It's my first international gold medal in six years." ■
