Shanxi diver Li Yajie delivered a masterclass in precision at the 15th National Games in Guangdong, securing gold in the women’s 1m springboard with a commanding score of 330.55 points. The victory marks a triumphant return to domestic dominance for the 23-year-old world champion, who previously claimed top honors at the Asian Games.
A Crowded Field of Talent
Twenty-one divers vied for the title in a fiercely competitive final. Li faced stiff competition from Sichuan’s Chen Jia, a three-time winner over Olympic champion Chen Yiwen earlier this year. However, Li’s near-flawless execution in the first four rounds—earning scores above eight on each dive—built an insurmountable 33.90-point lead. A minor misstep on her final 405C dive proved inconsequential as she sealed her victory, with Shaanxi’s Long Yiping taking silver.
Men’s All-Around Drama
The men’s event saw Shandong’s Lian Junjie emerge victorious in a grueling all-around contest. The 25-year-old edged out veteran Cao Yuan, a double Olympic champion and former National Games winner, with a total of 1,005.10 points. Lian’s near-perfect 109C dive—the highest-scoring single attempt of the session—crowned his comeback after Cao faltered in the third round.
The Games continue to showcase China’s deepening pool of diving talent, blending established stars with rising contenders in one of Asia’s most-watched sporting spectacles.
