Chinese duo win first diving gold of Tokyo Olympics

TOKYO - China's Shi Tingmao/Wang Han won the women's synchronised 3m springboard gold with 326.40 points at Tokyo 2020 here on Sunday.

It was China's fifth consecutive gold in the event since Athens 2004 and Shi Tingmao's third Olympic gold medal in diving.

"This is our (the Chinese diving team's) first gold medal at this Olympics, so now I feel much more comfortable. I know we can be even better and China will do better," said Shi.

When asked about her hopes to tie Chinese diver Guo Jingjing for the most decorated 3m springboard diver (four golds) if she is successful in individual event on August 1, Shi said, "I think no matter what we get, gold or silver, it doesn't define our success. It shows we are on the right road when we achieve our goals."

"We work very hard in training. We make all efforts we can in our training every day," Wang further explained on how China is able to maintain their dominance in diving.

Jennifer Abel/Melissa Citrini Beaulieu claimed the silver for Canada with 300.78 points. Canada's last medal from the event was a bronze medal nine years ago at London 2012.

The silver also leveled the country's best result in a synchronised event at the Olympics, when Emilie Heymans/Anne Montminy finished second in the women's synchronised platform 10m in 2000.

"I couldn't ask for a better day. It hasn't been easy, and also for Melissa, it's her first Olympic Games being by my side. But we did it as a team since 2017, and we're here today. Super satisfied," Abel said on how satisfying she is on the silver, after placing fourth at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Tina Punzel/Lena Hentschel of Germany took the bronze with 284.97 points. It was Germany's second bronze medal in the sport after Beijing 2008, and their first medal in Tokyo.