Chen Yiwen lands second diving gold for China at FINA World

Chen Yiwen won her first gold medal and second for team China in the women's 1m springboard while Kim Su-ji celebrated the first ever medal for hosts South Korea at the FINA World Swimming Championships on Saturday.

Chen Yiwen wins the second gold medal for team China in the women's 1m springboard at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, July 13, 2019. [Photo: IC]

Chen, fourth place finisher two years ago in Budapest, led the field from the first dive, earned a winning total of 285.45 points. Sarah Bacon of the United States took the silver with 262.00 and Kim placed third with 257.20.

"I did not win a medal in Budapest, and now I lived up my dream with the gold. I was very happy that all the efforts were paid off because we had a six-week training camp for the World Championships in Jinan, China. It helped me a lot," Chen said.

Bacon was happy with her first medal at her first worlds. "I did not expect to win something here since it was my first World Championships. A silver medal will bring more confidence for me to compete in the 3m springboard," said the 22-year-old.

The 21-year-old Kim competed in the Budapest worlds as a platform diver and missed both individual and synchro finals. She suffered a back injury in April 2018 and was away from the pool for four months.

"I concentrated on myself and did not take a look at the results board and I did not know my points and position during the final. I was excited that I could make a history for South Korea diving at the worlds. I will continue to work harder for better results in the future," Kim said.

China has won two titles in the diving competitions on offer in Gwangju as Si Yajie/Lian Junjie took victory in the mixed 10m synchro and Chen crowned in the women's 1m springboard.