Calm Zheng Shows Golden Maturity

Now mentally stronger, Chinese diver keeps nerve to claim first individual title at c'ships

- Samuel Tan

After securing the bronze medal in the men's 1m springboard at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) 2023 in Fukuoka, China's Zheng Jiuyuan looked destined for big things.

But instead he faced a major setback as he slipped to 11th at the 2024 edition in Doha, which he attributed to a mentality issue.

There was no such mental roadblock in 2025, however.

The 21-year-old earned his place among China's pool of elite divers as he finally got his hands on the coveted gold medal at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on July 27, overwhelming the competition as he romped to a total of 443.70 points.

Mexico's Osmar Olvera was second with a score of 429.60, while Yan Siyu, the other Chinese diver in the 12-man final, scored 405.50 as he claimed the bronze medal.

Zheng, who has yet to make his Olympic debut, said: "I always knew I had the ability, but the mentality (maybe) not so much. I was not mature enough technically (in Doha).

"It was still better for me to think about my own routines on the springboard, every step I took before I think about anything else."