Shanghai Municipality was the stage for an awe-inspiring performance as Li Yajie soared to victory in the women's 1-meter springboard final at the Chinese National Diving Championship on Thursday. With an impressive score of 313.03 points, Li secured the first gold medal for Shanxi Province in this prestigious tournament.
This year marks the return of the 1-meter springboard event to the Chinese National Games, prompting teams to bring their top athletes to Shanghai. Among the favorites were Li Yajie and Lin Shan, both renowned for their exceptional skills. Li, who previously triumphed at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest in 2022, demonstrated her dominance once again by leading all divers in each of the five rounds.
In her fifth attempt, Li executed a flawless 305C with a degree of difficulty of 3.0, earning 70.5 points and firmly holding the top spot. Her teammate, Lin Shan, finished second, trailing by 23.7 points.
Reflecting on her performance, Li shared with reporters, \"I could do it during daily practice, but didn't do it well in past competitions. I just tried to maintain a peaceful mind and focus on completing the process well.\"
Lin Shan offered her perspective on the competition, stating, \"I was behind Li a bit on every front, so I lost. Personally, I think I did well during previous practice. I was injured before I traveled to compete here, so I lacked systematic training recently. There wasn't much I could do about it.\"
Li Yajie's remarkable achievement not only highlights her personal dedication and talent but also brings pride to Shanxi Province on a national stage. As the Chinese National Diving Championship continues, audiences worldwide are sure to watch eagerly for more thrilling performances.
Reference(s):
Li Yajie wins gold for Shanxi at Chinese National Diving Championship
cgtn.com
