Wu Minxia defeated "Diving Queen" Guo Jingjing in the women's 3m springboard while Zhou Luxin was crowned in the men's 10m platform final.

 

Wu, the world and Olympic silver medalist, collected 373.40 points for the title, the 100th gold China has ever won in World Cups.

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She edged out Russian defending champion Yuliya Pakhalina, who earned 372.85 points in all. Guo Jingjing finished third at 368.40 points.

 

"I'm so pleased with the win," said Wu, "but it's a little bit regretful that I didn't perform well in the last round. Because I was eager to nail my final dive, so I really felt nervous at that moment."

 

World and Olympic champion Guo had been regarded as the unparalleled title favorite in the women's 3m springboard event.

 

However, the 24-year-old only led the first round with a 78-point dive before executing four lackluster dives.

 

"First I want to congratulate the champion and the runner-up," said Guo, "Then I want to say sorry to the audience for my disappointing performance tonight."

 

In the men's 10m platform final, Zhou Luxin, who will turn 18 at the end of July, opened his incredible show with a forward three-and-half dive, earning seven perfect 10s from the judges.

 

Then, the World Cup debutant nailed two dives above 100 points and pulled off the gold with a total score of 567.65 points.

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"I didn't expect to get the high score tonight," said Zhou, "I just want to say thank you to the team manager, to my coach and to people who care about me."

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Another Chinese hopeful Lin Yue took the silver at 558.20 points. Alexy Kravchenko from Russia placed third at 477.20 points.

 

Lin, who will turn 15 on Monday, grabbed three golds in the men's 10m platform at this year's Grand Prix. He earned the day-high score of 106 points in the last round.

 

Lin was gripped by nerves in his World Cup debut in the preliminary Saturday morning so as to muff his fourth and fifth dive unexpectedly. However, he still sailed to the semi-finals with a third placing before qualifying for the final.

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On Sunday, the final competition day for the World Cup, world champion Guo Jingjing/Li Ting will lead nine pairs to compete in the women's 3m synchronized springboard while 11 duos will vie for the title of men's 10m synchronized platform.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2006)