Chen on top again in women’s platform diving at worlds

China's Chen Ruolin performs a dive at the women's 10m platform semifinal during the World Swimming Championships at the Montjuic municipal pool in Barcelona, July 24, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

BARCELONA, Spain - Two-time Olympic champion Chen Ruolin of China led the semifinals of 10-meter platform diving at the FINA world championships on Wednesday.

After a slight bobble in the morning preliminaries led to a third-place showing, Chen took control in the afternoon with 373.65 points over her five dives.

Tonia Couch of Britain was next with 368.15 points, followed by Si Yajie of China with 341.85. Si was on top after the preliminaries but couldn't hold off Chen in the semifinals.

The top 12 advance to Thursday's final. They include Pandelela Pamg of Malaysia, last year's Olympic bronze medalist on the tower, and Victoria Lamp of the United States. But the silver medalist in London, Brittany Broben of Australia, was eliminated.

China has won five of the first six diving events in Barcelona.

China's Si Yajie performs a dive at the women's 10m platform preliminary during the World Swimming Championships at the Montjuic municipal pool in Barcelona, July 24, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]