Sixteen-year-old Lin Yue pushed himself forward with six spectacular dives from the tower and nine "perfect 10 points" in Changshu,

East China on Friday at China Spring Diving Championships.

 

As veteran Tian Liang and Hu Jia both were absent, Lin Yue, Zhang Chen, Huo Liang and Zhou Luxin, the Chinese diving "armada"'s hopefuls launched a vehement competition on the 10-meter platform.

 

Huo Liang, who claimed a gold in the men's platform at this year's Russia Grand Prix, earned 96.9 points in his last dive in the semifinals by nailing a backward two-and-a-half somersault and two-and-a-half twist pike with a degree of difficulty of 3.8. However, Lin Yue stole the limelight in the final.

 

While improving his result of every single dive from the first to the fifth round, the winner of this year's Australia Grand Prix thoroughly exhibited his talents in the fourth and fifth dives with brilliant aerial movements and ripped entries. The two almost flawless dives enabled him to receive four and five "10 points" respectively from the judges.

 

Although Huo finished a great final dive, which was the same as his last dive in the semi-finals but at a higher score of 100.70 points, he could not stop Lin to be atop of the field of eight finalists with a total score of 557.05 points.

 

Huo took the bronze at 518 points while Zhou Luxin claimed the silver at 532.95 points also in style.

 

Lin's coach Zhong Shaozhen said, "You don't need me to make any comment on Lin, because his performance tonight proved his ability."

 

Due to partner Jia Dongjin's sudden injury in Wednesday's training, Olympic champion Guo Jingjing had to give up the chances to win the women's three-meter springboard synchronized event here.

 

Finally, Wu Minxia/Yao Xinyi from Shanghai pulled off the gold at 291.51 points.

 

Wu snatched the gold in the women's one-meter springboard on Tuesday as Guo Jingjing only managed to collect 31.05 points in her first dive, punished for bouncing before the take-off.

 

According to FINA rules, if a diver bounces on a springboard or platform before the take-off, judges are going to award 4.5 points maximum.

 

Guo finally picked up the silver medal for Hebei and Yao Xinyi was third.

 

While pairing up on Friday, Wu and Yao seemed the most even duo and edged out Lao Lishi/He Zi from Guangdong with an advantage of 6.81 points.

 

Despite a title winner in the women's 10-meter platform synchronized event at 2004 Olympic Games, Lao Lishi was totally outshone by her springboard partner He Zi. Therefore, Lao had to accept her third silver medal at 284.70 points.

 

Lin Na and Kang Xiao added a bronze for Guangdong at 276.66 points.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2006)