| Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, November 17, 2001 |
Xiong Ni Declare Retirement After Winning in National Games |
 Triple Olympic gold medallist Xiong Ni claimed his retirement after winning the title of men's three-meter springboard event at the Chinese national games in Shantou on Friday night.
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Xiong Ni Declare Retirement After Winning in National Games
Triple Olympic gold medallist Xiong Ni claimed his retirement after winning the title of men's three-meter springboard event at the Chinese national games in Shantou on Friday night.
Dominating the event from the preliminary rounds to the final, Xiong captured the first place with a total of 732.79 points. The final dive of 77.52 points ended his 20-years diving career with a fairly nice full stop.
"I am happy to end my career by winning a gold from the National Games." said the 27-year-old veteran after the springboard event.
Representing the People's Liberation Army, Peng Bo finished second with a total of 710.97, Hubei diver Xiao Hailiang the third, 709.32.
"Winning the silver medal in National Games is even more difficult than winning the gold in international events," said the runner-up Peng, who won the title of synchronized three-meter springboard of World Championships in Fukuoka this July, teamed with Wang Kenan who finished eighth this time.
Friday's event of springboard attracted no less than 11 world champions all over China to take part in.
Xiong is just the second male diver in history to win medals at four Olympic Games. He won silver at the 1988 Olympics and bronze in 1992, both on platform, and finally struck gold in 1996 in Atlanta on the springboard.
Xiong Ni retired for a period before his comeback to the Chinese team in 1998. His defending in three-meter springboard stunned world and make himself the second man defand the title following the American Greg Louganis in 1984 and 1988.
Asked whether he would make his second comeback just like the American hoop star Michael Jordan, Xiong answered with a peaceful smile and said: "Jordan is a great basketball player. His return stunned the world and may be successful in some sense. But it's probably impossible for me to return in the future, since diving is quite different from playing basketball in term of requirement of techniques and strength.
"I think it must be my last performance in diving arena. I am happy to end my career by a medal of National Games," said Xiong, who made his debut at 13 and won a silver medal of platform event in China's Sixth National Games in 1986,
"I proved myself originally in the event in 1986, and I took part in totally four National Games. They pushed me into the peak. " Xiong added.
"Xiong is always my idol. I watched him diving in TV screen when I was only a boy," said Peng, "I wanted to surpass Xiong to win the title but failed. I have to face the fact that I will never exceed him, never ever!"
"Big Xiong is the only Chinese male diver holding as many as three gold medals. He is the most knowledgeable athlete I have known. His comprehension on diving is beyond common divers." commented Xiao Hailiang, who won the Olympic gold medal in Sydney 2000 teamed with Xiong.
Sun Shuwei, 25, won his first Olympic gold at 12 and won 10- meter platform event in Barcelona in 1992, failed to enter the final.
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