China is on the verge of making history with an unprecedented Olympic diving sweep at the Paris Games. In the semifinals of the men’s 10-meter platform, Chinese divers Cao Yuan and Yang Hao secured the top two spots, setting the stage for a thrilling final.
Cao Yuan, the defending platform champion from the Tokyo Games, scored a remarkable 504.00 points, while Yang Hao followed closely behind with 490.55 points. The duo’s dominant performance ensured their places in the final alongside 10 other divers.
Rikuto Tamai of Japan claimed the third spot in the semifinals with a score of 477.00, while the lone American diver, Brandon Loschiavo, fell short of advancing to the final.
Cao Yuan, a 29-year-old diving sensation, is aiming to secure his fourth Olympic gold medal, having previously won titles in Rio de Janeiro and London. If successful, he will join the elite group of athletes who have gone back-to-back on the platform.
Yang Hao, who already clinched a gold in the platform synchro event, adds to China’s impressive medal tally in diving. The nation has set its sights on claiming all eight diving golds at the Paris Games, a feat never achieved before in Olympic history.
China’s dominance in diving dates back to 1984, with the nation steadily increasing its medal count over the years. With 45 gold medals in diving since 2000, China has solidified its status as a diving superpower.
Despite facing stiff competition, the US has struggled to match China’s success in diving at the Paris Games. With only one silver medal to their name, American divers have faced formidable opponents from around the world.
As the final showdown approaches, all eyes are on Cao Yuan and Yang Hao to deliver another outstanding performance and potentially equal China’s record medal haul from the Tokyo Games. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the diving events in Paris.
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