On losing to team-mate Liu, Chen
said: "We are used to compete with each other. We have very strong and
skillful divers in China. So the competition between us is always very
tough."
“I didn’t have much practice and time for preparation after the London stage of Diving Word Series. Taking this into account I did a great job today," Chen added.
Yulia Prokopchuk (UKR) was very pleased with her bronze medal: “China tradition always prevails. It’s hard to beat such serious opponents. I missed my third attempt in the final, which was my easiest dive. But something went wrong. I will keep going. I’m in good shape and willing to participate in the two remaining legs of the season in Canada and Mexico."
In the most exciting final of the three-day event, the men’s 10m platform, China entirely dominated the field. The last dives, performed by Chen Aisen and Yang Jian (DD 4.1), scored 104.40 and 108.65 points respectively, and made the audience rise in applause. Gleb Galperin (RUS), two-time Olympic bronze medallist of Beijing on the platform and now the head of the organising committee of the Moscow stage, said he was deeply impressed by Yang Jian’s sixth attempt. Unfortunately, Yang missed his first and fourth dives. By comparison, Chen Aisen was more stable. As a result he emerged victorious with a total of 563.30. Yang Jian finished second (557.80).
While Yang Jian took pictures with the fans, Chen Aisen unveiled the
secret of Chinese success: "Chinese athletes train a lot every day,
every week. Hard work makes success. But Russians have good technique
and very high degrees of difficulty. They also know the secret
of how to win gold."
But this time, Russia’s Victor Minibaev (530, 80), who sensationally won gold in Dubai, placed third. On his performance, Minibaev said: "I’m satisfied with our bronze on synchro platform. But I didn’t show my best in the individual event. I think I couldn’t overcome myself. So I will work harder to get ready for the European Championships."
In overall medal standings team China was also a confident leader, grabbing five out of eight gold medals. Russia claimed two and Mexico one.