Dominant 'dream team' continues to make a global splash

In 2025, China's diving team delivered yet another commanding performance on the international stage, backing up its "dream team" reputation.

The squad has built a sustainable pipeline, whereby seasoned veterans deliver consistent, high-level performances, supporting the younger prospects who step into the spotlight.

This strength was on full display at the 2025 World Aquatics Diving World Cup Super Final in Beijing in May last year, where the team executed a clean sweep, winning all nine gold medals on offer. In the individual events, they even swept all the silver medals, too.

The women's springboard saw a breakout performance from Chen Jia, who — after just six months on the national team — secured the 3m gold with 382.05 points, edging out teammate Chen Yiwen.

On the platform, Chen Yuxi topped the podium, with her synchro partner Quan Hongchan taking silver.

The men's events followed a similar script. Wang Zongyuan and Zheng Jiuyuan dominated the 3m springboard, finishing first and second with scores of 519.25 and 505.05, respectively. In the 10m platform, Zhu Zifeng and Cheng Zilong completed the Chinese one-two finish.

Synchronized events were equally commanding. The duos of Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani, as well as Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan — both gold medalist pairings at the Paris Olympics — claimed gold in the women's synchronized 3m springboard and synchronized 10m platform, respectively.

New partnerships also flourished, as the newly formed men's duos of Hu Yukang and Zheng Jiuyuan in the 3m synchronized springboard, and Cheng Zilong and Zhu Zifeng in the 10m synchronized platform both triumphed.

Cheng Zilong, 19, also capped the campaign by teaming with Olympic champions Chen Yiwen, Wang Zongyuan and Chen Yuxi to secure gold in the mixed team event.

At the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, held in Singapore from July 11 to Aug 3, the Chinese diving team claimed nine gold, three silver and four bronze medals, despite the absence of key Olympic athletes such as Quan and Chang.

Yet, the event also signaled a shifting competitive landscape. Divers from Mexico, Australia and elsewhere showed they are closing the gap.

Most strikingly, Mexican star Osmar Olvera Ibarra claimed gold in the men's 3m springboard, halting China's 11-year winning streak in the event at the world championships. Australia's Cassiel Rousseau also topped the podium in the men's 10m platform final.

In the men's synchronized 10m platform, Chinese pair Cheng and Zhu took gold, while Russia's Nikita Shleikher and Ruslan Ternovoi finished just 0.93 points behind for silver. Other female contenders, including Australia's Madison Keeney and Italy's Chiara Pellacani, likewise displayed medal-winning form, underscoring the growing challenge to China's dominance.

As Chinese diving looks toward the new Olympic cycle, the emergence of stronger international rivals brings both pressure and motivation.

"Having strong competitors makes us stronger too," remarked men's veteran Wang Zongyuan, explaining the team's feelings on the more competitive landscape.

Amid these global developments, Quan made her highly anticipated competitive return at November's National Games, following a six-month absence due to injury management and physical development adjustments.

Now 18, the three-time Olympic champion faced questions about her form and competitive future.

She is no longer the petite 14-year-old who, at the 2020 Tokyo Games, became one of the youngest Chinese divers to win an Olympic gold, or the more mature teenager who clinched gold twice at the 2024 Paris Games.

As the women's team competition reached its final event — the synchronized 10m platform — Quan lined up alongside her partner Wang Weiying.

With their precise, perfectly synchronized performance, and her trademark razorsharp "splash-disappearing" technique, the pair helped Team Guangdong claim the gold medal, proving that Quan's larger frame and six-month competitive hiatus have not dulled the 18-year-old's edge one bit.