China secured its first gold medal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore with a commanding victory in the mixed team diving event on Saturday. The quartet of Chen Yiwen, Chen Yuxi, Cao Yuan, and Cheng Zilong delivered a resilient performance, scoring 466.25 points to finish nearly 40 points ahead of Mexico and Japan.
The mixed team event, featuring alternating dives from the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform, tested the squad’s adaptability. Despite a shaky start—Chen Yiwen’s 305B springboard dive earned a modest 58.50 points—the team rallied in the platform rounds. Newcomer Cheng Zilong, 17, shone in his World Championships debut, while Chen Yuxi’s precision helped reclaim the lead. "We fought hard and turned things around together," Chen Yiwen remarked.
Australia’s Maddison Keeney later claimed gold in the women’s 1-meter springboard, edging out China’s Li Yajie. Keeney, eyeing the 2028 Olympics, called the win "valuable practice" for her main 3-meter event.
