Wu and He top synchro springboard

China’s diving diva Wu Minxia captured her third synchronised three-metre springboard Olympic gold medal with victory in the final with He Zi yesterday.

In the first of China’s quest for all eight diving gold medals at London, Wu and He, the reigning world champions from Shanghai last year, dominated the competition with 346.20 points to claim victory.

The United States pair of Abigail Johnston and Kelci Bryant took silver with 321.90 with Canada’s Emilie Heymans and Jennifer Abel claiming bronze with 316.80.

“We managed to stay focused and calm during the final and constantly encouraged each other in each dive and finally we succeeded in doing our best,” Wu said.

“We felt at home here because there were so many Chinese supporters in the crowd.”

Although it was Wu’s third springboard synchro Olympic gold, it was her first with new partner He.

She teamed up with China’s legendary Guo Jingjing to take two gold medals in 3m synchro in the previous two Olympics.

“I don’t see much difference in diving with my two partners,” Wu said.

Wu, 26, can leave the London Games as the most successful Olympian in the sport along with the retired Guo Jingjing if she wins her remaining three-metre springboard event to add to her current tally of five medals.

She won the last two synchronised gold medals with Guo in Athens and Beijing.

Wu gets her chance to join Guo with six Olympic medals in the individual three-metre springboard, which has its final on August 5.

The Chinese pair’s highlights were a competition-high 80.10 points for a reverse 2.5 somersault and a back 2.5 somersault.

They led after all five rounds of dives and gradually extended their advantage with the Americans receiving a 74.70 for their forward 2.5 somersault with one twist.