China still strong in Fort Lauderdale (USA)

Lausanne (SUI), LONCAT INDAH INDONESIA  – The third leg of the FINA Diving Grand Prix 2012 successfully concluded in Fort Lauderdale (USA) on May 13. The four-day event welcomed current and up-and-coming elite divers from more than 20 countries.

China snatched six out the eight titles at stake and bagged two more silver medals. The Americans clinched the men’s 3m springboard title thanks to Christopher Colwill and made the podium in all events but the women’s 10m platform. Malaysia’s Huang Qiang/Bryan Nickson created a sensation again, taking home their second title in the men’s 3m springboard synchro. Other nations on the podium in Fort Lauderdale were Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico.

Among women, China dominated the operations with Wang Han triumphing in the 3m springboard with a total 377.40. Mexico’s Arantxa Chavez and local hope Christina Loukas completed the podium. Si Yajie (CHN) was the best in the 10m platform with a total score of 417.40, ahead of teammate Huixia Liu and Australia’s Brittany Broben, second and third, respectively.

In the men’s competition, Christopher Colwill (USA) captured the gold, scoring an overall 475.30 points while Li Shixin (CHN) and Alejandro Islas Arroyo (MEX) took silver and bronze, respectively. China’s Luxin Zhou took out the 10m platform in convincing fashion with a total 518.75 points. Home favourite Thomas Finchum was second and Ivan Garcia (MEX) claimed third spot.

MEDALLISTS IN FORT LAUDERDALE (USA)
Men
3m springboard: 1. Christopher Colwill (USA) 475.30; 2. Li Shixin (CHN) 474.95; 3. Alejandro D. Islas Arroyo (MEX) 445.50
10m platform: 1. Luxin Zhou (CHN) 518.75; 2. Thomas Finchum (USA) 509.25; 3. Ivan Garcia (MEX) 445.15
3m springboard synchro: 1. Huang Qiang/Bryan Nickson (MAS) 415.20; 2. Troy Dumais/Kristian Ipsen (USA) 376.86; 3. Luiz F. Outerelo/Ian C. Matos (BRA) 350.01
10m platform synchro: 1. Liang Huo/Chen Aisen (CHN) 442.29; 2. Ivan Garcia/Saul Sanchez (MEX) 439.32; 3. Ryan Hawkins/Logan Shinholser (USA) 379.53

Women
3m springboard: 1. Wang Han (CHN) 377.40; 2. Arantxa Chavez (MEX) 332.25; 3. Christina Loukas (USA) 325.70
10m platform: 1. Si Yajie (CHN) 417.40; 2. Huixia Liu (CHN) 372.45; 3. Brittany Broben (AUS) 360.40
3m springboard synchro: 1. Wang Han/Zheng Qulin (CHN) 309.90; 2. Kelci Bryant/Abby Johnston (USA) 302.10; 3. Anabelle Smith/Sharleen Stratton (AUS) 301.20
10m platform synchro: 1. Huixia Liu/Zhu Jiaming (CHN) 319.02; 2. Meaghan Benfeito/Roseline Filion (CAN) 304.92; 3. Amy Cozad/Laura Ryan (USA) 294.75

Full FINA Diving Grand Prix 2012 calendar:
No1: Rostock (GER), February 10-12
No2: Montreal (CAN), May 3-6
No3: Fort Lauderdale (USA), May 10-13
No4: St Petersburg (RUS), June 8-10
No5: Madrid (ESP), June 15-17
No6: Bolzano (ITA) from June 22-24

(fina)