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Chinese Divers to Dominate the Universiade Pool
With 11 world titlists and two Asian titlists in the lineup, the Chinese diving "dream team" looks set to dominate the pool at the 21st World University Games which is to kick off Thursday.
More than 100 divers from 25 countries and regions are to contend for 10 gold medals - in the men's and the women's 1m, 3m springboard and 10m platform individual events, as well as the synchronized 3m springboard and 10m platform events for both men and women. Two team titles are also up for grabs.
In the absence of some of the world's top divers, such as Russia's Dmitry Sautin and Yulia Pakhalina, China appear almost invincible. Taking into account the home ground advantage, China is sure to have a wonderful golden bash in the pool. The only question is: How many gold medals will they get?
Without Russian springboard sensations Yulia Pakhalina and Vera Ilyina, and short of veteran Australian diver Irina Lashko, the Universiade's women's springboard events are sure winning ground for China.
China's Guo Jingjing, a 19-year-old who have just pulled off double gold medals in both women's individual and synchronized 3m springboard events at the Fukuoka World Championships last month, looks almost impossible to beat in 1m and 3m springboard events.
Waiting in the wing are China's Yang Lan and Li Rongjuan, the former a World Cup titlist and the latter a silver medalist at the 1998 World Championships. Ukraine's Olena Zhupina, Germany's Conny Schmalfuss and Ditte Kotzian may have to compete with them for a medal in the two individual springboard events.
China's superiority could be challenged in the women's 10m platform event by Canadian Myriam Boileau, who won the 10m title at the 1997 World Cup. China's Wang Rui and Cai Yuyan, both World Cup titlists, will also have to defeat veterans Australian Rebecca Gilmore, Ukraine's Zhupina and Germany's Annika Walter to clinch gold.
In the women's synchronized events, China also holds edge over others. The combination of Guo Jingjing and Cai Yuyan on the platform are formidable. But Japanese duel Takiri Miyazaki and Emi Otsuki, who took bronze at the Fukuoka World Championships, and Ukraine's pair Olena Zhupina and Olga Lyeonova, will throw down a challenge to them.
In the women's synchronized 3m springboard event, China will guard against assaults from World Championships bronze medalists Conny Schmalfuss and Ditte Kotzian from Germany. Ukraine's Ganna Sorokina and Olena Zhupina are also medal hopefuls.
In the men's springboard events, China's depth of talent should guarantee a sweep of golds in both individual and synchronized events. Wang Feng, Wang Tianling, Peng Bo and Wang Kenan are all gold or silver medalists at the Fukuoka championships last month. Song Dinghui, probably the most "inexperienced" hand in the Chinese diving team, holds an Asian Cup title on the springboard. Such a legion are hard to beat.
However, Japan's Ken Terauchi, who have just caught a bronze in the 3m springboard at the Fukuoka championships, still have a chance to upset the Chinese. Mexican Fernando Platas, who won silver medals in both Olympics and world championship, is also a strong challenger.
The safest bet for China is probably the men's platform events, both individual and synchronized. Tian Liang, who snatched both individual and synchronized crowns on the highboard at the Fukuoka World Championships last month, will probably do the same at the Universiade, which is his first Universiade outing.
In the individual 10m platform, Tian will have to watch out for Mexican Fernando Platas and Cuban Jose Guerra. Guerra walked away with the highboard crown at the 1999 Universiade in Palma and has vowed to defend his title this year.
Tian will team up with Hu Jia to compete in the synchronized 10 m platform event. Mexico's Platas and Francisco Perez, as well as the Cuban pair Guerra and Erik Alvarez, will try their best to topple the Chinese duo, who won silver at the Sydney Olympics last year and took gold at the World Champions last month.
China had a successful Universiade two years ago, winning four golds and one silver in six events. They also got both men's and women's team titles. With the inaugural synchronized events at this year's Universiade, China looks set to increase its haul of gold medals.
China's best showing at Universiades were in 1987, when they swept all four golds in as many events and won both team titles. The 1m springboard events have not yet been introduced at that time.
In 1991, China triumphed again at the Sheffield Universiade, bagging five golds out of six events and scooping both team titles.
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