Fukuoka, Japan, July 20, 2023: Team work and team spirit is behind China’s incredible diving success at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, according to Chen Yuxi.
Chen was speaking after her sensational victory in the women’s 10m platform on Wednesday - China’s ninth gold medal in nine diving events.
Chen, 17, was full of emotion after her victory in the 10m platform over teammate and Olympic champion Quan Hongchang, 16, who took silver.
"I am very happy and excited," Chen told media, including Olympics.com, following the win.
"We tried hard for the China team to earn our qualification to the next Olympics, and we have nine gold medals.
"When I won one gold and one silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, my dream was half fulfilled. Now I have higher goals. There are bigger dreams waiting for me to pursue.”
Asked about the mood in the Chinese camp, Chen added: "We really are a team - we train together, stay together, take care of each other like family. When I face challenges, they help me, comfort me and encourage me.”
Looking ahead to the future, the three-time world champion in the 10m platform said: "I have no idea what I want to do after finishing the competition in Fukuoka. I will just keep practising hard and maintain my condition to perform even better."
At the close of play on Wednesday, China topped the medals table for the July 14-30 world championships with 10 gold medals, two silver and two bronze; nine of those 10 gold in diving and the other in artistic swimming acrobatic.
There are four more diving golds at stake in the final three days of competition, and China are on course to sweep all 13 gold medals for the second successive world championships after doing so at Budapest 2022.
The remaining diving events are: men’s 3m springboard on Thursday, women’s 3m springboard on Friday, and mixed 3m synchro and men’s 10m platform on Saturday.
