Gold medalist Chen Yiwen (R) and silver medalist Chang Yani of China pose with their medals after the women's 3-meter springboard diving final at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 21, 2023. (Photo: CFP)

Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani of China won the women's 3-meter springboard gold and silver medals at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on Friday.

The contest was much closer compared with the previous diving finals in the tournament. Neither Chen nor Chang performed well in their first dives. Chen was rated only 63 points, ranking fourth, after finishing 405B at the degree of difficulty (DD) of 3.0. Chang's score was 64.5 points, the third of all 12 athletes.

Pamela Ware of Canada and Sayaka Mikami of Japan both got 67.5 points in the first round, sharing the leading position. Ware completed 205B at the DD of 3.0. Mikami did the same move as Chen and Chang.

Chen bounced back quickly from her second dive, securing the highest score in the second, third and fourth rounds. She began to lead after the third dive by completing 305B at the DD of 3.0 with 75 points. After solidifying her lead with 107B at the DD of 3.1 and 77.5 points, she sealed the final victory with a 5152B at the DD of 3.0. Chen's final score was 359.5 points.

Chang had another poor dive in the third round when he got 64.5 points, the fifth of all 12, by completing 305B at the DD of 3.0. However, she got the best score in both the second and the fourth round. In the end, Chang added another 67.5 points with the same move as Chen. Chang's final score was 341.5 points.

Ware pocketed the bronze medal with 332 points.

Chen won the 11th diving gold for China at this year's World Championships. She and Chang also booked two spots for the event for China in the Paris Olympics in 2024.