China cemented its diving dominance on Friday, claiming all five gold medals during the opening day of the World Cup Super Final at Beijing’s iconic National Aquatics Center. A roaring home crowd witnessed elite performances from Olympic champions and rising stars alike, underscoring the nation’s unrivaled strength in the sport.
Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi, reuniting after their Paris Olympics triumph, delivered a thrilling victory in the women’s 10-meter synchronized platform. Despite minor mid-routine errors, the duo secured a commanding 350.88 total, highlighted by a dazzling final dive that earned 85.44 points. Russia’s Aleksandra Kedrina and Anna Konanykhina took silver, while Britain’s Maisie Bond and Lois Toulson clinched bronze.
New Chinese pairings also shone brightly: Cheng Zilong and Zhu Zifeng dominated the men’s 10-meter synchronized platform with 460.92 points, while Zheng Jiuyuan and Hu Yukang swept the men’s 3-meter synchronized springboard (448.65 points). In the women’s 3-meter synchronized springboard, Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani cruised to gold with 323.13 points, outpacing Australia’s Maddison Keeney and Alysha Koloi.
The mixed team event capped the historic day, as Chen Yiwen, Wang Zongyuan, Chen Yuxi, and Cheng Zilong secured China’s fifth gold with 507.20 points. Ukraine and Mexico completed the podium.
With the Paris Olympics looming, China’s performances signal fierce momentum. The Super Final continues this weekend, offering a preview of global rivalries set to unfold this summer.
