Shandong’s Lian Junjie capped his return to competition on Tuesday at China’s 15th National Games in Guangzhou, overtaking Beijing veteran Cao Yuan with a show-stopping final dive to claim men’s 10m platform gold.
The early rounds saw Cao Yuan set the pace with a 91.80-point opener, while Shaanxi’s Zhao Renjie, just 14 years old, surged into the lead after the second round. Lian edged ahead in the third, capitalizing on unforced errors from other contenders.
Lead changes kept fans on edge through rounds four and five, with Cao reclaiming first place before Lian delivered a 105.45-point masterpiece on his last dive—the highest score of the competition. His total of 530.85 points was enough to finish 3.5 points clear of Cao.
Taking bronze, young phenom Zhao rounded out the podium with a standout performance in his National Games debut.
This victory completes a remarkable comeback for Lian, returning from a nine-month shoulder injury. Earlier at these Games, he already secured all-around gold and a team bronze, bookending an inspiring comeback story.
As the 15th National Games draw to a close, the blend of experienced champions and rising stars highlights the depth and innovation fueling the future of global diving.
Reference(s):
Lian Junjie, Lin Shan win men's 10m platform, women's 3m springboard
cgtn.com
