Wu seeks record as China targets sweep
Print Edition
CHINA’S Wu Minxia will make her bid to become the most decorated female Olympic diver at the Rio de Janeiro Games, fronting an attempt by her country to sweep all eight titles next month at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center.
The 30-year-old, who equalled her former diving partner Guo Jingjing’s record of four gold medals at the 2012 Olympics, will lead China’s 13-member team which is expected to dominate after winning six out of eight golds at test events in February.
It also won six of the eight titles at the London Games.
Among China’s other headline title hopes are Qiu Bo, who won silver in the men’s 10 meters platform event in 2012, and 15-year-old Ren Qian, who scored a perfect 10 at the February test event in the women’s category.
China’s diving team leader, Zhou Jihong, has remained cautious over the country’s chances, saying that China “had no advantage in the men’s events” and warned of “dark horses” lurking in the women’s platform events.
“It is very hard. Our rivals are at a high level, very experienced and at the same time very young,” she was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying about the men’s events in May.
The major competition for the Chinese men will come from American David Boudia who will defend his 10m platform gold at his third Olympics, and Britain’s Tom Daley who took the bronze in London.
In the 3m event, Jamaica’s first Olympic male diver Yona Knight-Wisdom has been tipped as a contender after he clinched his spot by winning a surprise silver at the February test event.
Wu, however, will not be defending her individual 3m springboard gold and will instead compete in the synchronized event with Shi Tingmao.
North Korea will be also pinning its medal hopes on teenager Kim Kuk Hyang in the women’s 10m event after she won her country’s first gold at last year’s world championships.
While China dominated the test event, the venue has caused some concern over its outdoor nature which could see weather changes test divers’ performances, especially during winter. It also suffered temporary power cuts during recent competitions.
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