DIVING: Bryan-Huang Hit Paydirt

THE new partnership of Bryan Nickson Lomas and China-born Huang Qiang received a timely boost for the London Olympics when they clinched the gold medal in the 3-metre springboard synchro event at the Montreal leg of the FINA Grand Prix on Saturday.

The pair, in only their second competition together, managed scores of 53.40, 51.60 and 72.54 in their first three dives before raising the difficulty level to reel off 81.18, 87.72 and 84.66 in their remaining attempts and score a commendable 431.10 total.


Canada's Alexandre Despatie-Reuben Ross took the silver on 419.58 while the Mexican pairing of Rommel Pacheco-Jonathan Rovalcaba (388.71) were placed third.

The duo had made their debut as a pair at the World Cup in London in February where they won a bronze medal in the event and subsequently clinched Olympic qualification.

Bryan, however, did not fare as well in the men's 10m platform final as he finished last with a 390.75 total.

Bryan started the final well with an 84.80 score on his first attempt but lacked consistency in his remaining dives for scores of 25.90, 47.85, 82.20, 61.50 and 88.20.

The event saw Mexico's Andres Villarreael take the gold on 512.00 with Cuba's Jose Guerra placed second on 510.30. Third was Jenkler Aguirre (480.50), also from Cuba.

Meanwhile, the women's events saw Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee fail to make the podium when they could only finish fifth in the 10m platform synchronised event.

The duo, widely expected to challenge for a medal in the absence of China's elite divers, managed scores of 48.00, 52.20, 64.80, 71.04 and 65.28 for a 301.32 total.

The event was won by Canada's Meaghan Benefito-Roseline Fillon, who managed a total score of 327.96, while in second place were compatriots Pamela Ware-Carol Ann Ware (326.28).

The Australian pairing of Rachel Bugg-Loudy Wiggins took the bronze with a 316.86 score.

The women's 3m springboard final saw Cheong Jun Hoong finish last with a final score of 275.00.

The event was won by Sweden's Anna Lindberg (344.40) while Canada's Pamela Ware (333.75) and Australia's Sharleen Stratton (328.95) finished second and third respectively.

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