Asian Youth Games: Chinese diver bags first gold

Wu Dongliang probably does not realise it yet, but his name will forever be linked with the Asian Youth Games.

The Chinese diver became the first gold medallist of the Games when he won the boys’ 3—metres event at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex.

But such was the gulf between the 16—year—old and the rest of the field that at the end of the fourth of five dives in the finals — at about 4pm on Tuesday — he had already sewn up the competition.

“I didn’t even know the scores of the others, I only looked at my scores after each dive,” said Dongliang, smiling sheepishly and rubbing the small of his neck after the question was asked.

“I only realised I had won after the whole thing was over.”

But the boys’ 3m event was not just about Dongliang; it also told a story that will be repeated throughout the next six days of the inaugural Games — a story of perseverance by unheralded athletes and of youthful inexperience and grace.

With two Fina Junior World Championship medals to his name already — a gold in the 3m spring board and a bronze in the 1m — the Chinese diver was hardly cocky, he was actually shy, looking almost meek on the podium.

Dongliang appeared relieved when the ceremonies were over and he could pull the second and third—placed competitors onto the rostrum for the pictures.

By his side were South Korea’s Cho Sung In (third) and Kuwaiti Rashed Alharbi, who consistently drew applause with each dive, coming from behind to nick the silver from the Korean.

Kuwait is not exactly an Asian diving powerhouse, but this is one of the aims of the Games, to give lesser established countries a chance to mix it up with the big boys — and Rashed mixed it up pretty well.

He trailed Sung In by 17.4 points at the end of the preliminaries, but turned in consistent dives to take the silver — and the hearts of the spectators at Toa Payoh.

“I’m very happy and proud,” said 15—year—old Rashed, who looked like he was 10 but already with nine years of diving experience under his belt.

For South Korean Sung In — and surely for scores of other athletes — the Asian Youth Games will be an experience he will learn from.

After the preliminaries he looked confident, poised to challenge Dongliang for the gold medal.

But inexperience hit in a big way as he crashed into the water on his first dive during the finals, drawing twos and threes from the judges, effectively ruling himself out of the race to the top.

Winner’s medal or not, the first three to mount the podium in the Games looked pleased just to be there, and they were clearly embracing the spirit of sportsmanship as they comfortably draped their arms around one another for the cameras.

They were bashful when facing the media, but boldly held their big dreams close to their hearts.

“I would like to compete at the Olympic Games one day,” said a sheepish Dongliang.

“I’m supposed to go and support my other team—mates, and you guys are holding me up,” he added, head bowed before slipping past the television cameras and literally bolting out of sight.