Career day for Zhang at 3m springboard

The Jianyang Cultural and Sports Center Natatorium was crowded on Wednesday, with flashes and cheers aplenty.

The main attraction, China’s own Zhang Wenao and Liang Chaohui who were competing in the men’s 3m springboard individual event at the Chengdu FISU World University Games.

And yes, as expected, the gold and silver medals went to the local divers.

Zhang triumphed with 533.45 points following a near-perfect display of grace and beauty.

“It’s my first individual gold medal in an international competition in my lifetime,” the FISU Games champion said. “Also, it’s the highest score I’ve had in my diving career. But based on my recent training situation, it’s a normal level.

“I will have another competition tomorrow and I need to be focused but I’m really very excited.”

Liang, second with a score of 477.30, had already captured gold in the men’s 3m synchronized springboard on Monday.

“I have finished all my competition. In the following days, my job is only cheering for other Chinese athletes, hoping they can get good results.”

Joung Dongmin from Korea rounded out the podium with 401.90 points.

Zhang knew he was one of the best competitors in the field and dealing with that pressure wasn’t an easy task.

“I had to take a deep breath and clean my mind before the competition. Keeping my mind calm was essential to focus on my performance,” the 21 year-old said.

“In my routine I do a lot of basic training, so I got relatively solid basic skills. Entry is just a matter of nature. I think to do every jump and entry perfectly is enough for me.”

As it turns out, Zhang was steady with each jump and entry.

“Luckily, I succeeded in calming down, so there were no big mistakes in my performance. It was really because I appeased my mind”.

Indeed, nerves were not a problem. Being last on the start list in the sixth and final round, Zhang was near perfect.

When his score of 102.60 was announced, the stadium erupted, with fans waving their flags in celebration.

China also dominated the other diving event held Wednesday in Chengdu as Wang Weiying (399.65) and Zhang Rui (345.45) rank first and second going into tomorrow’s women’s 10m platform final.

Kondo Jana of Japan currently sits in third place (261.30).

Written by Julieta Boschiazzo, FISU Young Reporter