Chinese Divers, Wilkinson's Pink Bikini Win at Ft. Lauderdale
ang Hao won the women's 10-meter platform at the USA Diving Grand Prix on Saturday, then teamed with Kang Li to take the synchronized event off the high board.
Wang dominated the individual final, finishing with a score of 420.30 points for five dives. American Laura Wilkinson, who raised eyebrows with her pink bikini, was a distant second with 360.80, while Mexico's Tatiana Ortiz took third at 338.15.
Hao Wang of China took gold at the USA Diving Grand Prix for the women's platform finals Saturday, May 10, 2008, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
(AP Photo/Jon Way)
``I'm satisfied,'' the 16-year-old Wang said, according to her translator. ``I performed like I did in training.''
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She led every step of the way, also posting the top score in the preliminary and semifinal rounds on Thursday.
In synchro, the Chinese duo beat the other five teams with a near-flawless performance, receiving at least one perfect 10 on three of their five dives. The crowd gasped in admiration when they barely disturbed the water in the final round, leaving them with a total of 348.36.
Li Kang, left and Hao Wang, both of China, won gold at the USA Diving Grand Prix for the women's synchronized 10-meter platform finals Saturday, May 10, 2008 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
(AP Photo/Jon Way)
Australia's Briony Cole and Melissa Wu claimed second with 325.80, while Wilkinson and partner Jessica Livingston settled for third at 321.84. The other U.S. team, Haley Ishimatsu and Mary Beth Dunnichay, was fourth with 311.46.
Japan's Ken Terauchi, preparing for his fourth Olympics, won the day's other final on the 3-meter springboard. He totaled 486.10 points, beating out American Troy Dumais (473.60). China's Xhinhau Zhang was third at 469.35.
``It's very meaningful to win here,'' Terauchi said through an interpreter. ``There are so many high-level, top-class divers from all over the world.''
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Wilkinson wore a traditional one-piece suit for the 10-meter individual, then changed to a striking pink bikini for the synchro. Livingston wore a matching suit on another sunny, balmy day at the outdoor Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.
``We figured it was Fort Lauderdale, so we had to do pink. And it had to be a bikini,'' Wilkinson said. ``It was fun.''
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She also wore a bikini at last year's U.S. Summer Nationals, held at an outdoor pool at Stanford University, but will probably stick with the regular suit at the Beijing Olympics.
``That's an indoor pool,'' Wilkinson said. ``It's just not the same as that outdoor feel. I mean, we're on the beach here.''
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The other divers certainly took note of the Americans' attire.
``The bikinis went over well. The girls really liked them,'' Wilkinson said. ``A while back people used to wear them all the time, but I guess they faded out. Maybe we're bringing it back again.''
Sat May 10, 2008 20:57 EDT
PAUL NEWBERRY
AP National Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida
Laura Wilkinson of The United States (not wearing the pink bikini) performs at the USA Diving Grand Prix during the women's 10-meter platform finals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Saturday, May 10, 2008.
(AP Photo/Jon Way)
ang Hao won the women's 10-meter platform at the USA Diving Grand Prix on Saturday, then teamed with Kang Li to take the synchronized event off the high board.
