EXPERIENCED AUSTRALIANS THROUGH TO GOLD COAST FINALS

The experience and steely nerves of Australian divers Matthew Mitcham and Melissa Wu shone through for the home team on the opening day of competition at the FINA Diving Grand Prix on the Gold Coast.

But it was the Chinese who dominated the day, winning every semi-final they entered and sending out a strong message to the rest of the diving world.

China’s best divers aren’t on the Gold Coast, but the extraordinary depth of Chinese diving, especially in the women’s competition, was on full display in cold, overcast conditions.

Mitcham started slowly but showed his experience to win his semi-final of the men’s 3-metre.

Despite a limited preparation, and more focus on platform events, Mitcham did what he had to do to make the six-man final.

“I know that I have the potential to do springboard well, and I’m not getting super carried away by the result,” he said.

“Even though I did win the semi- 410 is a good score but it’s not blow-your-mind fantastic.”

Australian teenager Joshua Kehagias will join Mitcham in Saturday’s final after finishing third behind China’s Bowen Huang in his semi-final.

Huang finished on 439.35, while Mitcham won his semi with 410.25.

Melissa Wu bombed out on her very first dive of the day, but recovered well to make the semis and then qualify for the final behind the impressive Siyu Ji, of China.

Ji finished with 392.50, with Wu scoring 316.50.

“I didn’t dive as well as I wanted to dive, but at least I made the final and now we start from scratch again,” Wu said.

“I was really happy with the way I fought back after my start.

“The Chinese divers are amazing. It’s great to come to these comps and have such a high standard of competition. It really pushes us.”

Pint-sized 13-year-old Yaying Ding won the first semi-final with 329.40.

Gold Coast diver Brittany Broben was sitting in third place in her semi-final going into her final dive, but a small mistake put her out of Saturday’s finals field.

The wind was not a major factor on day one, although the cool conditions made competition tougher.

Mitcham said there are unique problems with diving outdoors.

“I have never been a massive fan of outdoor pools,” he said.

“Spotting wise, I like to spot the lights on the roof. I’ve always got a bit of fear about spotting.

“I’m trying to do my dives by feel and hear, but it’s just something you have to manage with outdoor pools.”

The men’s platform and women’s 3-metre preliminary rounds will be contested on Friday at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.