Wang Zongyuan of Hubei delivered a masterclass in precision diving at the 15th National Games, claiming gold in the men's one-meter springboard event with a stellar 492.30 points at Guangdong Olympic Aquatic Center. The victory reinforces his position as China's premier male diver amid intense competition featuring five world champions.
The event marked the return of the one-meter springboard to the National Games after a 12-year hiatus, with 17 elite divers vying for glory. Wang faced fierce rivalry from teammate Zheng Jiuyuan, who led narrowly in early rounds through higher difficulty dives. The turning point came in the fourth round when Wang executed a near-flawless 107B dive – a forward 3½ somersaults pike – earning 89.10 points, the night's highest single-dive score.
Zheng's medal hopes faded after a critical error in his 305B dive (reverse 2½ somersaults pike), relegating him to bronze. Shandong's Tai Xiaohu secured silver through consistent performances, earning his first individual National Games medal at age 28.
The competition highlights China's continued dominance in diving, with athletes pushing technical boundaries ahead of international championships. Wang's score fell just one point short of his 2022 World Championship performance, signaling strong form for upcoming global events.
