How Chinese divers extend perfect World Cup record with four golds in Berlin

For diving aficionados around the globe, this is the most groovy time of the year. Spring brings with it a cascade of diving events, with a rapid succession that is simply intoxicating.  

The 2024 World Aquatics Diving World Cup in Berlin, which wrapped up on Sunday night, marked the third major international competition in a mere seven-week span. Following the World Championships in Doha and the World Cup opener in Montreal earlier this month, the diving community once again gathered in the German capital to witness the pinnacle of talent and skill in action.  

While the venues may change with each diving event, there is one constant that remains unyielding: China's absolute domination. Having already reigned supreme in Doha and Montreal, the Chinese diving powerhouse extended their flawless track record in Berlin, capturing all four gold medals in the individual events. 

The men's 3m springboard final on Sunday saw Wang Zongyuan, a three-time world champion and 2020 Olympic silver medalist, successfully defend his title with a score of 505.90 points. Notably, he concluded the competition with his signature dive, which earned him a score of 91.20 points – the highest score awarded throughout the entire event.

The women's 10m platform final was equally captivating, as 16-year-old Olympic champion Quan Hongchan left the audience in awe with her exceptional performance. Displaying maturity beyond her years, Quan outshone her more experienced competitors. Her most challenging dive earned her perfect 10s from all but one judge, resulting in a staggering score of 99 points in the penultimate round.  

Quan's cumulative score after four dives was so spectacular that she could have sat out the fifth round and still emerged as the victor. However, her determination prevailed, and she delivered yet another marvelous dive, achieving an admirable total of 432.80 points for the day, solidifying her supremacy in the event.

On Saturday, two-time world champion Chen Yiwen effortlessly clinched the gold medal in the women's 3m springboard event, replicating her success at the World Cup in Montreal. However, the grueling schedule undeniably took a toll on Chen, who candidly admitted that she didn't perform at her absolute best.  

"My performance wasn't up to par today, but it's quite understandable given the circumstances," observed Chen afterwards. "We've just come from competing in Doha and Montreal, and the past two months have been incredibly demanding. It takes immense determination and resolve to push oneself during this period."

In the fiercely contested men's 10m platform, Lian Junjie proved to be an unstoppable force. The 23-year-old left the reigning world champion Cassiel Rousseau of Australia trailing behind in every round, earning at least 90.0 points on four out of his six dives. It was in the final round, however, that he truly sparkled, executing his most difficult dive with flawless perfection and earning an incredible 101.75 points. 

With a well-deserved gold medal around his neck, Lian couldn't contain his joy as he expressed his aspirations for the future. "I hope to have the opportunity to compete in both individual and synchronized events at the Paris Olympics," he beamed. 

Coming up next is the highly anticipated Diving World Cup Super Final, scheduled to be held in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, from April 19 to 21. And if diving enthusiasts indulge in a little bit of conjecture, it won't be too arduous a task to speculate which team will come out on top. Once again.