China´s He Chong wins men´s 3m springboard diving gold medal

Source: Xinhua | 08-19-2008 22:21

BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's He Chong won the gold medal of the men's three-meter springboard diving at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Tuesday.

He Chong of China dives into the water during  the Men's 3m Springboard Final of Beijing 2008  Olympic Games diving event in Beijing, China,  Aug. 18, 2008. He Chong won gold of the event.  (Xinhua/Zhao Peng)

He, 21, currently ranked No. 1 of the event in the world, led all the way to collect 572.90 points.

Canadian golden boy Alexandre Despatie, silver medallist of the event in 2004 Athens Olympics, took the silver again in 536.65, while the bronze went to Qin Kai in 530.10.

"I performed steady during the final," said He, who is famed for commanding a set of difficult dives. "I has trained hard for four years and now I proved my self."

"I was very excited in the final," said the 21-year-old, who also won the gold in the event in the 2008 World Cup on February. "But I kept telling myself to be calm."

Qin, 22, winner of the event in 2007 Melbourne World Championships, trailed Despatie in the final and tried hard to surpass him, but still failed.

"I am satisfied with the bronze," said the 22-year-old, who took the silver in all legs of World Series this year. "I performed well, but He performed splendidly. The competitors are all quite strong."

The 23-year-old Canadian also took part in the 3m springboard synchro, but only finished the fifth.