A SPRINGBOARD TO LA SUCCESS

On Tuesday evening, in front of a roaring crowd at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center swimming and diving hall, Wang Zongyuan stood poised at the edge of the springboard. He launched into a series of flawless flips, cutting cleanly into the water after his sixth dive.

By the end of the event, the Olympic champion had secured gold in the men's 1m springboard at China's 15th National Games in Guangzhou — a victory that added another title to his career's honor roll.

The night before, Wang had helped his home region of Hubei take a silver medal in the men's team event.

A dual Olympic gold medalist in synchronized diving and a newly minted four-time world champion, Wang is already a linchpin of China's men's 3m springboard program.

His victory on Tuesday offered little surprise.

His presence also provides a steadying influence for younger teammates. Zheng Jiuyuan, who took bronze in the 1m springboard, said: "I just follow Wang Zongyuan's lead," referring to their newly formed partnership in synchronized diving. When asked about their strengths, Zheng noted confidently: "Our technical consistency is probably our strong advantage."

Despite others' admiration for him, self-doubt still lingers for the 24-year-old Wang, who explains that diving is a sport rife with uncertainties.

His career has been filled with both triumphs and near-misses, particularly in the individual 3m springboard event. Despite his Olympic victories in synchronized diving at both the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, and recent wins at the Singapore World Championships, the individual gold has eluded him.

"Stepping onto the platform doesn't mean you will secure the gold. Overthinking can be harmful. You have to take it step by step," he said.

Preparing for the National Games, Wang dedicated himself to meticulous mental and physical preparation, including handling the grueling transitions between late-night team events and early morning individual competitions.

"It's not just about raw talent," he said. "It's about the effort you put in when nobody is watching."

Winning his first individual gold medal in the 1m springboard at the National Games was a personal triumph, which means a lot to the experienced diver.

"I didn't expect to win such a valuable gold medal here. It gives me a boost and reaffirms the confidence I need moving forward," Wang reflected. "I'll approach the upcoming 3m individual event with the same mindset — calm and confident, diving with everything I've got."

Though the 1m springboard is a non-Olympic discipline, it remains the foundation for every springboard diver, including Wang.

"There have been disappointments and setbacks, but I always remind myself to return to the basics. It keeps me grounded," he explained. "The 1m springboard is where I started, and it's where I continue to find motivation."

At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Wang partnered with the seasoned veteran Xie Siyi to win gold in synchronized 3m springboard, and says he is now ready to take on a similar role in the team.

As Xie faces the physical challenges of aging, including injuries, Wang is determined to pursue the double gold in both synchronized and individual events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

From a young boy swimming with floaties in the Yangtze River and a teenager who briefly questioned whether to leave the sport behind, to now being a key member of China's diving "Dream Team", Wang's rise has been marked by solid effort and unwavering dedication.

"The four years after Paris 2024 is like a game of chess — every move matters," Wang said. "The next Olympics will be even tougher, but my goal remains unchanged: double gold. I'll keep pushing forward, step by step, towards that target."

Xinhua