Tokyo Olympian Shixin Li finished fifth in the Men’s 1-Metre Springboard at the World Aquatics Championships 2023.

The only Australian competitor in action on day three, Li finished on a total score of 400.55. It was an improvement on his preliminary score of 374.50, but the result shifted his overall standing from fourth in the preliminaries, to fifth overall.  

Li’s final dive, a Forward 3 ½ Somersault Pike, earned 74.25 and was his highest score of the night.

A two-time World Champion and 2022 World Championships bronze medalist in this event, the 35-year-old was one to watch in Sunday's final. Chinese athletes JIanfeg Peng and Jiuyuan Zheng ultimately finished in first and third positions respectively, while Mexico’s Osmar Olvera Ibarra finished second.

Li now turns his attention to the Men’s 3-Metre Individual Springboard, which carries extra significance in 2023 as a top 12 finish will earn athletes a quota position (for their country) to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Monday will be a busy day for Australia at Fukuoka’s Prefectural Pool with Georgia Sheehan & Brittany O’Brien competing in Women’s 3-Metre Synchronised and Cassiel Rousseau & Dominic Bedggood in action in the Men’s 10-Metre Synchronised Platform.

Finals of all diving sessions are available to view on 9Now.

Full results are available on the World Aquatics website.