China Continues Dominance at FINA Diving Grand Prix

LAUSANNE, May 6. THE Chinese delegation in Gatineau (Que., CAN) occupied the majority of podiums at the third stop of the FINA Diving Grand Prix 2013 held in the Canadian city for the first time from May 2-5, securing six of the eight titles at stake. The Canadian female team also impressed at home, earning the remaining two titles and a total five medals.

China swept all events in the men's competition. Taking gold in the 3m springboard was Chao He while silver went to Japan's Sho Sakai. In third came Rommel Pacheco (MEX). He took out the 3m synchro with teammate Shixin Li while the Mexican improved his bronze-medal finish with Jahir Ocampo by taking silver. Colombian pair Sebastian Casteneda/Sebastian Morales showed talent, claiming third spot. In the platform, Jian Yang shared the podium with teammate Liang Huo (second) and Juan Morales from Colombia (third). In the 10m synchro, Yanquan Zhang/Yuan Cao beat the Cubans Jeinkler Aguirre/Jose Guerra, taking second while Victor Ortega/Juan Rios Lopera from Colombia completed the podium.

Among women, local favourites Jennifer Abel and Meaghan Benfeito performed brilliantly, finishing on top in the 3m springboard and 10m platform, respectively. Abel bested compatriot Pamela Ware (second) and Mexico's Dolores Hernandez (third) while Benfeito beat Chinese Jie Lian and Xiaohui Huang into second and third place, respectively. China also dominated both synchro events. On the lower board, Jiao Liu/Qu Lin picked up gold, leaving the silver for Pamela Ware/Jennifer Abel (CAN) and the bronze for Samantha Mills/Fan Qin (AUS). In the platform, Jie Lian/Xiaohui Huang added another gold medal to China's tally, followed by Canadian pair Roseline Filion/Meaghan Benfeito and Monica Marquez/Karla Rivas from Mexico in third.

MEDALLISTS IN GATINEAU (CAN)
Men
3m springboard: 1. Chao He (CHN) 503.85; 2. Sho Sakai (JPN) 465.25; 3. Rommel Pacheco (MEX) 464.55
10m platform: 1. Jian Yang (CHN) 547.35; 2. Liang Huo (CHN) 496.40; 3. Juan Morales (COL) 450.45
3m springboard synchro: 1. Chao He/Shixin Li (CHN) 441.36; 2. Jahir Ocampo/Rommel Pacheco (MEX) 397.89; 3. Sebastian Villa Casteneda/Sebastian Morales (COL) 377.40
10m platform synchro: 1. Yanquan Zhang/Yuan Cao (CHN) 470.25; 2. Jeinkler Aguirre/Jose Guerra (CUB) 450.09; 3. Victor Ortega/Juan Rios Lopera (COL) 396.51

Women
3m springboard: 1. Jennifer Abel (CAN) 353.40; 2. Pamela Ware (CAN) 341.15; 3. Dolores Hernandez (MEX) 315.15
10m platform: 1. Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) 393.70; 2. Jie Lian (CHN) 387.40; 3. Xiaohui Huang (CHN) 316.95
3m springboard synchro: 1.Jiao Liu/Qu Lin (CHN) 317.70; 2. Pamela Ware/Jennifer Abel (CAN) 307.95; 3. Samantha Mills/Fan Qin (AUS) 279.60
10m platform synchro: 1. Jie Lian/Xiaohui Huang (CHN) 331.50; 2. Roseline Filion/Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) 319.32; 3. Monica Marquez/Karla Rivas (MEX) 296.34

2013 FINA DIVING GRAND PRIX CALENDAR
February 15-17 Madrid (ESP)
February 22-24 Rostock (GER)
May 2-5 Gatineau (CAN)
May 9-12 Fort Lauderdale (USA)
May 16-19 San Juan (PUR)
May 29-31 Kazan (RUS)
June 28-30 Bolzano (ITA)

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