SUCCESSFUL HUNT FOR GOLD

After chasing for so long the gold medal, Gary Hunt (GBR) finally got the world title in Kazan (RUS), winning the men’s High Diving competition, with a total of 629.30 points. The British star (31 years old) had been second in both the 2013 Worlds in Barcelona (ESP) and last year, also at the Kazanka venue, during the first edition of the FINA High Diving World Cup. On both occasions, Hunt finished second to Orlando Duque, from Colombia, who made some mistakes in Russia and could not enter the podium (he was sixth) Normally praised for his consistency, Duque was quite regular in the last two rounds of the competition, but was not so solid in the inaugural three dives on Day 1. This time, Hunt did everything almost perfect and successfully allied solid execution with very high degrees of difficulty in his combinations.

Also in the podium in Barcelona 2013, Jonathan Paredes, from Mexico, upgraded his bronze to silver, also displaying a very challenging programme, concluding his performances in Kazan with a total of 596.45 points. At the two editions of the World Cup (Kazan 2014 and Cozumel 2015), the Mexican star had been fifth, each time behind Duque, Hunt, Steve LoBue (USA) and Artem Silchenko (RUS).

The Russian star was precisely the third best man of the day, getting the bronze in 593.95. Fourth one year ago, also in front of a cheering crowd, Silchenko has made a steady progression since then, and was already silver medallist at the 2015 World Cup. Thanks to a very solid last dive (back 3 somersaults 3 twists pike, DD 5.6), the 31-year-old climbed from the fourth to the third position, also benefiting from a not-so successful final attempt from David Colturi, from the USA.

FINA.ORG

RACHELLE SIMPSON (USA) GETS FIRST WORLD TITLE IN KAZAN

Kazan is definitively an inspiring location for Rachelle Simpson! After winning the first edition of the FINA High Diving World Cup, last year also in the beginning of August, the 27-year-old North American promised to also shine at the 16th FINA World Championships in the capital of Tatarstan.

The promise was kept and after the three rounds of dives in the final, Simpson got the gold in 258.70, getting the first world title of her career. The silver went to the first champion ever, two years ago, in Barcelona, her teammate Cesilie Carlton. The bronze went to a newcomer at this level, Yana Nestsiarava from Belarus.

The youngest competitor of the field (nine divers participated in this final) has been fourth last year in the same Kazanka venue, but had already upgraded to third in the 2015 World Cup in Cozumel (MEX).

After a not so successful first dive (5161B), Simpson appeared more inspired in her second attempt (5262B) and climbed from the sixth to the first position.

RACHELLE SIMPSON (USA) GETS FIRST WORLD TITLE IN KAZAN, photo credit FINA.ORG

Thanks to a very solid final round, where she presented one of the most difficult combinations (5163B, forward 3 somersaults 11/2 twists pike, worth DD 4.0), the US star had no problems in securing the gold. Carlton, with a 3.9 attempt (back 3 somersaults tuck), was also consistent and assured the silver in 237.35, more than four points ahead of the Belarus champion (233.10).

The US athlete, who caused sensation in 2013 by saying after her victory that she was afraid of heights, was third in Kazan in 2014, but was out of the podium at the 2015 rendezvous in Cozumel.