BRITISH DIVERS FACE CHINESE OLYMPIC CHAMPION
This year's Senior Diving Championships in Southampton will
present Great Britain's divers toughest test ahead of next
month's World Championships.
Not only do the championships double up as qualification for
next month's World Championships in Montreal, Canada, there
will also be the added pressure on the national team as six
Chinese divers have been invited to compete.
And the Chinese team, arguably the world's most successful
diving nation, includes one of the best divers in the world,
Olympic champion Tian Liang.
Liang was a gold medallist in the 10metre platform individual
final at the 2000 Syndey Olympics and also won a silver medal
alongside Hu Jia in the 10metre platform synchro final Down
Under.
At the Athens Olympics last year Liang won a bronze medal
in the 10metre platform individual competition but, with Yang
Jinghui, snatched gold in the 10metre platform synchro final
to edge British pair Leon Taylor and Peter Waterfield into
the silver medals.
Taylor and Waterfield were just 12.36 points behind the Olympic
champions but, although Jinghui is not diving next weekend,
Liang and a new partner - yet to be finalised - will present
world-class opposition for the British duo.
Liang will also be competing in the 10metre individual competition
and Taylor is relishing the prospect of diving against one
of his arch-rivals.
"It makes the competition more exciting," said Taylor.
"It's going to be great to dive against a legend.
"I haven't seen Liang dive since Athens but we know how
good he is.
"I'm sure it's going to be a great competition and I'm
really looking forward to diving against him.
"The Chinese coming over here gives us a bit more credibility.
They recognise we are a great diving nation and for them to
compete in our national championships proves that."
This is a view echoed by Steve Foley, Britain's National Diving
Performance Director.
Foley said: "Liang is a superstar, there's no doubting
that. It's going to put that extra bit of pressure on our
divers.
"I know Peter and Leon are looking forward to diving
against him but hopefully it will also give inspiration to
our young divers.
"We can learn a lot from Tiang and the rest of the Chinese
divers. Hopefully it helps us raise the standard before the
2008 Beijing Olympics."
Other Chinese divers competing in Southampton, at the Quays,
will be Feng Qin, Yan Hui, Zhang Sen and Qui Kai.
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