Quebec diver Nathan Zsombor-Murray competed in the final of the 10m platform, the latest diving event to be presented at the FINA World Championships, Sunday in Budapest, Hungary. Quebecer Mia Vallée and Albertan Margo Erlam concluded their first Championships by obtaining a fifth place in the 3m synchro.
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“I’m happy with five of my six dives in the final, so you can say everything went well. I was very consistent throughout the competition and especially in the final. The next step will be to add difficulty to my jumps to get more points”, mentioned Zsombor-Murray in an interview with Sportcom.
Zsombor-Murray managed to gain a rank on his last dive which earned him a score of 76.80, thus beating the Briton Matthew Lee who had some difficulties during his final jump.
“I arrived in the final with the intention of winning a medal for sure. I don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on myself by looking at the scoreboard. I didn’t know where I was in the standings and I think that’s the best strategy. »
“It’s nice to be able to experience a final with a friend and a partner. We have fun together and we can motivate each other between our jumps,” added the Quebecer.
Zsombor-Murray and Wiens had won the bronze medal earlier this week in the synchronized 10m tower.
Mia Vallée and Margo Erlam satisfied
PHOTO LISA LEUTNER, REUTERS
Mia Vallee and Margo Erlam
As for Mia Vallée and Margo Erlam, the judges awarded them a total of 282.90 points for their five dives. China’s Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani won the gold medal with 343.14 points.
Japan’s Sayaka Mikami and Rin Kaneto (303.00) took silver while Australia’s Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith (294.12) took bronze.
“I think Margo and I are happy with what we have achieved. We dove well. There are some adjustments to be made, but it’s a good indicator for the future, commented the 21-year-old Vallée. We only had one practice together in Budapest. He just needed a little practice. With the stress of the competition and the lack of synchro experience, we couldn’t reach the podium, but that’s okay. »
Vallée, from Kirkland, was still happy to end the week with her partner on the springboard.
It was really nice to be able to finish the worlds together, as a team. We are already looking forward to preparing for the Commonwealth Games, which are coming up in a few weeks.
Mia Valley
The week was rich in emotions for the two athletes, who were experiencing their baptism at such a large-scale competition. Against all odds, Vallée left Hungary with two medals, silver in the 3m individual and bronze in the 1m springboard.
“Before coming here, my goal was to make the finals and I thought I would struggle with that. To have managed to finish second in the world in the 3m is impressive. I gained a lot of confidence,” Vallée said.
Saskatchewan’s Rylan Wiens (416.20) finished ninth.
“In general, I’m happy with how it went today. I’m a little disappointed with some of my dives, but it gives me an idea of things to work on going forward,” said Wiens.
China’s Jian Yang won the gold medal with 515.55 points. He was joined on the podium by Japan’s Rikuto Tamai (488.00) and his compatriot Hao Yang (485.45) who won silver and bronze respectively.
Albertan Rylan Wiens ended the day in ninth place with 416.20 points.
The gold medal went to Chinese Yani Chang and Yiwen Chen with a collection of 343.14 points.
With The Canadian Press