By Yuki Nitta
TOKYO (Reuters) -China earned their third diving gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics when Wang Zongyuan and Xie Siyi triumphed in the men’s 3 metre synchronised springboard on Wednesday, reclaiming the title they lost to Britain in Rio.
The Chinese duo got off to a strong start and finished on 467.82 points, ahead of Andrew Capobianco and Michael Hixon of the United States in second.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for nine years. I was so happy with our brilliant timing. I have a lot of emotions in my head right now.” Wang, who made his Olympic debut, said.
“To participate in an Olympic Games for the first time was not so hard for me. It felt a little bit different, but I knew I had to do what I do well, and I did.” the 19-year-old added.
The Tokyo silver marked the third successive Olympic medal in the event for the United States.
Capobianco, 21, said cheers from his team mates and coaches got him pumped up throughout the competition.
“When we were walking out for the walk-out, I heard them in the stands. They did a quick ‘USA’ cheer and that kind of got me going, and I felt kind of ready. It was amazing to have them up there – after every dive we heard them cheering.”
Germany’s Patrick Hausding and Lars Rudiger took bronze with 404.73, while 2016 champions Britain were seventh.
China won 3 golds and 1 silver in the men’s and women’s synchronised events in Tokyo, while the United States claimed 2 silver medals, with 2 bronzes for Germany.
The events will resume on Friday with the women’s 3 metre springboard preliminary.
(Reporting by Yuki Nitta; Editing by Peter Rutherford & Shri Navaratnam)
