Two-time world champion Shi Tingmao led from the first round in the women's event to win with a total of 389.60 points, finishing 16.7 ahead of compatriot He Zi, the world champion in the discipline, and 54.35 clear of Canada's Pamela Ware in third.

Shi, winner of the 1m springboard world title in Shanghai in 2011 and 3m synchronised springboard in Barcelona with partner Wu Minxia in 2013, secured her first individual victory in the Series after a consistent performance throughout the semi-finals and final.

The 23-year-old entered the water cleanly in all five dives, with her fourth, a forward 3.5 somersaults tucked, earning her an event-high 80.60 points.

"My trademark is the entry while I am still weak in some other aspects comparing to other elite divers," said Shi.

"I just performed my best today, better than what I did in training.

"I feel excited on the springboard and take every opportunity to learn."

China's He Chong did just enough to win the men's 3m springboard event ©Getty Images



Meanwhile, in the men's equivalent event Beijing 2008 Olympic champion He Chong was not quite as steady in his scoring but still managed to earn 551.50 points from his first four dives to take the gold medal.

Teammate Cao Yuan bagged the silver, 8.8 points worse off, while Germany's Patrick Hausding was a further 22.70 behind and completed the podium.

"I feel at ease and great when I compete at the Water Cube," said He on his return to the arena where he won Olympic gold.

"Though I did not have a good winter training session, I gain confidence from today's competition which is really competitive."

Chong is now looking ahead to the FINA World Championships, due to take place in Kazan, from July 24 to August 9.

"I think I am getting ready," he added.

He Zi had to settle for silver in the women's 3m springboard event but went one better in the 3m synchronised mixed pair ©Getty Images



In the mixed 3m synchronised, He Zi recovered from the disappointment of losing out on the women's 3m springboard title to win the 3m synchronised mixed pair event with partner Chen Aisen.

The duo finished ahead of Canada's Jennifer Abel and François Imbeau-Dulac, and Mexico's Dolores Hernandez and Rommel Pacheco, who claimed the silver and bronze medals respectively.

"This event requires the male diver to reduce his height," said He of the new event.

"It is not easy."

Cornel Marculescu, FINA Executive Director, believes the new addition will increase the appeal of the diving programme.

"FINA wants to modernise our aquatic sports," he said.

"We have added mixed relays in swimming.

"In synchronised swimming, we will have a mixed duet and in diving we now have mixed synchro events.

"I think it will benefit the athletes - women and men compete together in other sports, why not us?

"It will be very interesting to see how we attract more people in the stands and on television by adding the mixed events."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
March 2015: Hosts China dominant at FINA Diving World Series opener
April 2014: Four diving gold medals for China on first day of World Series in London
March 2014: Shock win for Russia's Manibaev on final day of FINA Diving World Series
March 2014: Relentless China continue domination of FINA Diving World Series
March 2014: Different venue but same result as Chinese divers dominate in Dubai