FINA WJDC 2016: first medallists determined on day 1

The FINA World Junior Diving Championships started with the mixed team event that took place yesterday in Kazan's Aquatics Palace. British athletes became the first winners of the tournament. The Russian team occupied the fifth place.

The divers had to make individual and synchronised dives from 1m and 3m springboard and 10m platform. Teams could include from 2 to 5 athletes.

The highest score, 335.45, was achieved by the British team. “I think we performed well. We started the competition with uncertainty, but then got used to the pool and calmed down," said Noah Williams, one of the winning team members, about his impressions of the first event. "Before the competition, I was not thinking about winning gold, and focused on the performances.”

According to Noah Williams, their main rivals were not only the divers from China, but also those from Mexico. He noted that the fate of gold was decided in the last jump from the 10m platform. “We decided not to risk it with overly complex dives, but place an emphasis on quality, and it paid off. Although sometimes you need to take risks," said the athlete. He also said that he has come to Russia for the first time, and is satisfied with the organisation of the competition and the venue.

The Mexicans took second place in the mixed team event. They scored 321.75 points. "We are very happy, because we practised for a long time before this tournament, and it was not for nothing. Before the competition, we did not think about the results. Before each start, my team and I planned to dive our best dives, and beat a personal record," said Fabian Gomez, the silver medallist of the competition.

“We are very glad that we achieved a medal, but there are still a lot of starts, and I want to win gold in the individual performances. I am now completely absorbed in the competition, but after the Championships I want to see Kazan," admitted the athlete. “I was in Russia 2 years ago, at the Junior Championships in Penza. Even from the bus window, Kazan looks more modern and interesting. I hope I will have time to get to know your city closer."

The Chinese team was also among the winners, which, unlike the others, consisted of only two athletes: Nanju Zhang and Yang Ling. The pair from the China scored 320.95 points and won bronze at the Championships.

“Winning a medal is not bad, but I would like to win gold. I think I’ve still got a chance to do that," said Nanju Zhang after her performance. “Today, I was not in the best of shape, and I haven't fully acclimatised. I made a few mistakes in the course of the competition. Perhaps I should have delivered more complex dives, I could have done them, but we decided to place our bets on a high score. It is even easier to prepare for challenging dives." At 17, Nanju Zhang already has extensive experience in performing at international tournaments.

The Chinese diver performed in Russia for the second time, unlike her partner, who is here for the first time. "I was here 4 years ago in Moscow, at the World Cup stage. I was only 13, and my parents were very worried about me. They still worry when I travel around the world. But that is the fate for an athlete. My parents are proud of me and root for me on TV," she said.

The Russian team, which included Karina Shklyar, Grigory Ivanov, Ekaterina Nekrasova and Tatarstan resident Nikita Shleikher, failed to enter the top three. They came fifth with a score of 310.20 points.

The Canadian athletes were one step away from the podium with 313.75 points.

The FINA World Junior Diving Championships in Kazan will continue until 4 December. The final competition on the 1m springboard in junior age group "B" (born 2001-2002) and 3m springboard in junior age group "A" (born 1998-2000) will take place this evening.