Fukuoka, Japan, July 22, 2023: China’s hopes of completing a clean sweep in diving for the second successive World Aquatics Championships fell at the last hurdle on Saturday evening.
China had won the first 12 events in diving and were on course to match their 13-for-13 haul at last year’s world championships in Budapest.
But Australia’s Cassiel Rousseau had other ideas and, in his third world final, held off the two Chinese divers to win the men’s 10m platform – the 13th and final event of the diving competition. It was Australia’s first victory in this event.
Rousseau, 22, scored 520.85 points from his six dives, 8.50 clear of Lian Junjie with 512.35. Yang Hao of China won the bronze medal with 504.00.
Malaysia’s Bertrand Rhodict Anak Lises, 18 and already qualified for Paris 2024, came 10th with 442.35 points and Korea’s Kim Yeongtaek, 21, finished 11th with 405.85.
China’s 12th diving medal of the meet came earlier Saturday in the mixed 3m synchronized through Zhu Zifeng, 20, and Lin Shan, 21, with a score of 326.10 points.
The Chinese pair finished 18.72 points clear of Australia’s Maddison Keeney and Domonic Bedggood, who came second with 307.38.
Italy’s Chiara Pellacani and Matteo Santoro won the bronze with 294.12, 31.98 points behind China.
Korea’s Yi Jaegyeong and Kim Suji finished fourth with 281.46 and Macau’s Choi Sut Kuan, 33, and He Heung Wing, 14, finished 16th with 184.02 points.
China ended the ninth day of the July 14-30 world championships on top of the medal rankings with 15 gold, five silver and four bronze. The next best is Japan (4-1-3) and Germany (4-0-2).
The diving and artistic swimming competitions both ended on Saturday, and Sunday sees the start of the swimming.