China wins two more diving synchro golds

TOKYO -- China swept both golds on Sunday at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, as Chen Yiwen and Chen Jia won the women's 3m springboard synchro and Yang Hao and Lian Junjie took the men's 10m platform synchro crown.

Chen Yiwen and Chen Jia scored 328.56 points, well ahead of South Korea's Kim Su-ji and Kim Na-hyun, who took silver on 254.70. Malaysia's Ong Ker Ying and Lee Yiat Qing claimed bronze with 243.72.

"It's a new cycle and a new partner, and these Asian Games give us confidence," said Chen Yiwen, who had won the previous Asian Games title with Chang Yani and took two golds at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

She added that the multi-sport atmosphere rekindled the feeling of competing on the big stage. "Before the whistle I was a little nervous, but once it blew, the competitive feeling came back. I think being nervous for a competition is a good signal."

Chen Jia, making her Asian Games debut, called the experience "very new" and noted the different atmosphere compared with domestic competitions.

China then added the men's 10m platform synchro title as Yang and Lian scored 465.54. Malaysia finished second on 377.52, with South Korea taking bronze on 375.90.

Olympic champions Yang and Lian, who have continued their partnership since Paris 2024, said they have adjusted some dives this season.

"Because the difficulty has been lowered, we need to pay more attention to the quality of the execution," Yang said. He added that their daily training and competition focus remains on another Olympic gold at LA28.

Malaysia also had a strong day, taking silver in the men's 10m platform synchro and bronze in the women's 3m springboard synchro.

For Enrique Harold and Elvis Priestly Clement, the men's platform silver was an upgrade for Harold, who moved on from bronze at the previous Asian Games.

"Changing the color of the medal makes me very happy," Harold said, adding that competing with China's top divers provided valuable lessons and inspiration.