Olympic champions to compete in World Aquatics Diving World Cup in Xi'an

XI'AN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Olympic champions Quan Hongchan, Chen Yuxi, Wang Zongyuan from China, and Jack Laugher from Britain will lead a field of top divers in the World Aquatics Diving World Cup 2023, to be held in the historic Chinese city of Xi'an from April 14-16.

A total of 63 divers from 13 teams will compete in nine events using a new, simpler World Cup competition format as a preliminary-to-final for individual events and a straight-to-final for synchronized and team events.

Tokyo Olympic champion Quan Hongchan will face off against her synchro partner and world champion Chen Yuxi in the women's 10m platform, while Wang Zongyuan, men's 3m springboard synchro winner in Tokyo, will compete in both the 3m individual and synchro, as well as in the team event.

Yang Hao, a native of Xi'an, will participate in the men's 10m platform and synchro and team events. Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani will aim to defend their reputation in women's 3m springboard.

"I'm thrilled to compete in my hometown Xi'an and hopefully I can perform my best in front of the local audience," said 23-year-old Yang. Jack Laugher, Rio Olympic champion in men's synchro 3m springboard, said: "China has a long history of diving, and I believe it's one of their national sports. But I think our team is doing a fantastic job, and it's always good fun to keep trying to chase China."

"I will always try my best to defeat my opponents, and it's a great honor to have the ability to compete against them," said the triple champion in last year's Commonwealth Games.

Xi'an is the first leg of the Diving World Cup, with the second stop in Montreal, Canada, from May 5-7 and the Super Final in Berlin, Germany, from August 4-6.