DWS 2013, Beijing day 3: Chen (CHN) untouchable in 10m platform, China captures 8 golds on offer
Beijing, CHINA - Four-time Olympic champion Ruolin Chen won the women's 10m platform in convincing fashion, leading with more than 40 points ahead of her rivals, sealing China's complete golden sweep on day 3 of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series at Beijing's Water Cube on March 17, 2013.
Chen, who claimed the 10m platform title at both the Beijing and London Olympic Games, dominated the final to win the gold with 403.75 points. Canadian Meaghan Benfeito came second with 362.25 points while Malaysia's Pandelela Rinong Pamg took third with 337.75 points.
"I am satisfied with my performance today. It's my first major competition after the London Games and I wanted to do my best in each dive. I was not confident before the event because I did not train much these days," Chen said.
"I know it is hard to beat the Chinese divers, because they are very strong and their dives are beautiful. I tried my best today, I am happy with the silver," Benfeito said.
Ruolin Chen (CHN) in women's 10m platform - credit: Fei Maohua
Chinese Yue Lin tasted his first individual victory at international level since 2008 as he and Aisen Chen finished 1-2 in the men's 10m platform.
Lin, 2008 Olympic champion in the synchro platform, scored 555.55 points after performing six stable dives to claim the title. Young teammate Chen earned more than 100 points for two of his dives, collecting an overall 551.55 points while Russian Victor Minibaev took the bronze medal with 499.35 points.
"I had not competed for both individual and synchro in a single meet for more than four years. There were some mistakes in my dives today and I was nervous in the final," said Lin.
"I still need to improve my high DD compared with my younger teammate Chen and other competitive rivals," he added.
Men's 10m platform podium - credit: Fei Maohua
On competing at the Water Cube, Minibaev said: "The conditions here are very good. I like it very much!"
Russia's Artem Chesakov finished fourth while Mexico's Ivan Garcia injured his right ankle and withdrew from the final after his second dive.