FINA WJDC 2016: Nikita Shleikher wins third medal at Kazan tournament

The closing day of the FINA World Junior Diving Championships ended with the victory of a Chinese diver. Lian Junjie showed the best result in the platform final (Group A Boys).

Russia’s Nikita Shleikher took the second place with 573.80 points. Matthew Dixon of Great Britain rounded out the podium in third (545.60). 

“It was a successful tournament for Team China and for me personally,” said Lian Junjie. “I’ve gotten into shape for the championships and eventually managed to win gold. For me it’s a huge success – it’s my first world junior a victory.”

For Nikita Shleikher, today’s silver is the third medal at a home tournament. He had already won medals in the 3m and 1m springboard events.

Bronze medallist Matthew Dixon admitted that he’s happy with his result. “My coach said, ‘You’ve been heading towards these championships for two years; it’s in your hands! Don’t think of the podium, enjoy diving.’ And I’ve performed to the best of my ability,” the British diver said.

Matthew had a tough competition schedule and has little time for recovery.  “I’m going to have three week of recovery, and then hard training again, British National Diving Cup, World Series. That’s what the life of an athlete is all about – going from one city to another, from one championship to another,” Dixon admitted.