Wu leads the charge for Chinese divers
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, July 28, 2012
Wu Minxia launches China's bid for eight diving gold medals in London when she heads to the diving boards of the synchronized 3m springboard event tomorrow.
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Wu Minxia. |
The 26-year-old Shanghai-based diver can leave London as the most successful Olympian in the sport along with the retired Guo Jingjing if she wins both her springboard events and adds to her current tally of four medals.
Wu, who will team with He Zi, won the last two synchronized gold medals with Guo in Athens and Beijing and is a favorite to successfully lead China's quest to unite every Olympic and world diving gold medal.
China fell agonizingly short in Beijing where only a breathtaking final 10m platform plunge by Australia's Matthew Mitcham stopped the Chinese juggernaut from annexing all eight Olympic categories.
"We cannot overestimate ourselves based on the past achievements, nor neglect the strength and high difficulties of dives of our rivals," team manager Zhou Jihong warned.
World champion Qiu Bo, likened to a "robot" by his British rival Tom Daley, is expected to further enhance his glowing reputation in London.
The 19-year-old Qiu, who won two gold medals at last year's world championships, will partner Lin Yue in the men's 10m synchronized platform and take on the challenges of Daley and Mitcham in the individual platform.
Qiu, the 2011 FINA male diver of the year, says his greatest headache is meeting his own exacting standards, rather than worrying about his rivals.
"The biggest challenge for me is to beat myself. The aim is to win everything," Qiu said.
"I enjoy the pressure. That is the pressure that moves me to get stronger and stronger."
Defending champion He Hong faces a challenge from Canada's two-time Olympic silver medallist Alexandre Despatie in the springboard event, while Qin Kai and Luo Yutong are the world champions in the synchronized springboard. Chen Ruolin will defend her Olympic title in the 10m platform, and team up with Wang Hao in a bid to retain platform synchro gold.
Chinese divers have claimed 27 out of 40 gold medals since 1984.
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