Published: 12:56, August 8, 2021 | Updated: 12:59, August 8, 2021
Cao leads 1-2 Chinese finish in men's 10m platform in Tokyo
By Xinhua

Cao Yuan of China poses during the awarding ceremony for men's 10m platform final of diving at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Aug 7, 2021. (PHOTO /XINHUA)

TOKYO - Chinese diver Cao Yuan claimed his first Olympic gold medal in the men's 10m platform event on Saturday, becoming the first athlete to win Olympic gold medals in three different diving events.

After the six-round final, China witnessed a one-two finish, with Cao finishing first in 582.35 points, followed by his teammate Yang Jian in 580.40 points.

I try not to think too much about the scores. Instead I put the focus on myself to stay calm. I make sure that the next dive that I perform has no errors, and I try not to let what other divers do to get into this.

Cao Yuan, Chinese diver

Cao, who is competing in his third Olympics, now has already won Olympic medals in 10m platform (gold), synchronized 10m platform (one gold, one silver), 3m springboard (gold) and synchronized 3m springboard (bronze).

"I try not to think too much about the scores. Instead I put the focus on myself to stay calm. I make sure that the next dive that I perform has no errors, and I try not to let what other divers do to get into this," Cao answered whether he was concerned when Britain's Thomas Daley was leading the scoreboard.

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This is Yang's first Olympics. Yang praised the competition between the two Chinese divers, saying that "within Team China, it's a really healthy competition. Every time we practice, everybody wants you to do better and you want to be better as a group."

With the win, China took three golds in four men's diving events at Tokyo 2020.

Daley bagged the bronze for Britain with 548.25 points. The bronze was his second medal of Tokyo 2020, following a gold medal in the synchronized 10m platform.

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"If someone had told me I was gonna win a gold and a bronze at these Olympics and finally become an Olympic champion, I would have been so over the moon. To finally have done it, I just feel extremely happy with these games and how they've turned out," said Daley.