Rio 2016: Jack Laugher and Chris Mears Win Diving Gold for Great Britain
Jack Laugher and Chris Mears won the first Olympic diving gold medal of Great Britain in the men's division of synchronized 3m springboard in Rio.
The Britons produced a sparkling display to add the Olympic title to their European and Commonwealth crowns. The charismatic double act defeated their seeming invincible Chinese rivals with series of spectacular dives in the finals.
China won 32 out of 34 previous Olympic gold medals in diving and despite of the excellent teamwork of the British pair, few people expected them to win.
The pair scored a total of 454.32 and ends China's hope of a clean sweep of diving golds at the Olympics.
Their opponents, Qin Kai and Cao Yuan got bronze (443.70) behind US pair Sam Dorman and Mike Hixon (450.21).
Laugher, 21 and Mears, 23, broke down in tears as their victory was confirmed inside the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre.
Laugher and Mears live and train together in Leeds. After the first two rounds of compulsory tasks, they are on the second place. However, because of their solid start during the third round, they able to get the first place.
In the final round, the duo maintained their harmony and their well-executed back dive. They led Kai Qin and Yuan Cao by less than three points.
"It would be world changing", Mears said.
Laugher will still compete in the individual 3m event but their performance as a duo will always be one of the top lifetime occasion for them and for the Great Britain.
