Chinese diving duo Yang, Lian continue reign with third consecutive World Championship title

After a remarkable comeback from a two-year retirement, British Olympic champion Tom Daley found himself at the center of attention during the ongoing World Aquatics Championships in Doha. 

The 29-year-old diver, who had stunned the world by stepping away from the sport following his gold medal triumph at the Tokyo Olympics, made a surprising return in late 2023. This marked his first foray onto the international stage since August 2021.

With all eyes on him, Daley aimed to make a resounding statement by claiming victory in the men's synchronized 10m platform final alongside his partner Noah Williams. However, their aspirations were dashed by the formidable Chinese duo of Yang Hao and Lian Junjie, who had their sights firmly set on continued dominance. 

With an air of authority, they clinched an incredible third consecutive world title in the event, amassing an impressive total of 470.76 points after five dives. Daley and Williams had to settle for a distant second place, finishing with 422.37 points.

The final on Thursday night was anything but a leisurely stroll for the 26-year-old Yang and his 23-year-old partner Lian. While they established their supremacy right from the outset, showcasing impeccable synchronization, Daley and Williams staged a comeback in the third round. With a breathtaking dive, they narrowed the gap to just a few points, putting immense pressure on Yang and Lian.

An unexpected misstep from Yang in the fourth round gave the British team a glimmer of hope to turn the tables. Unfortunately, Williams also made a slight error, allowing their Chinese rivals to escape unscathed. 

In a thrilling climax, Yang and Lian elevated their diving prowess to new heights in the final round, executing a series of intricate somersaults in the tuck position that sealed the deal in their favor.

China have already amassed an impressive collection of seven gold medals in the diving events in Doha. The solitary event where they relinquished the top spot was the men's 1m springboard, a non-Olympic discipline, in which Zheng Jiuyuan secured a ninth-place finish. In all other events, the Chinese divers exhibited brilliant performances, leaving no room for doubt.