Australian Cassiel Rousseau (520.85) ended China’s hegemony in the diving events of the World Aquatics Championships. On Saturday in Fukuoka, Rousseau deprived China of the last of 13 titles at stake in Japan when he won the 10m individual. Behind, Quebecer Nathan Zsombor-Murray (468.00) ranked seventh.
China’s Junjie Lian (512.35) and Hao Yang (504.00) were the other medalists.
At last year’s Worlds in Bupadest, the Pointe-Claire diver also finished seventh.
“I’m still happy with my day. I think I dived well this week. I still have a few details to work out, but I’m pretty happy,” said the Quebecer.
Zsombor-Murray knows he will now have to step it up a notch if he is to be a podium contender. And it will go through more complex maneuvers.
“I have to improve my dive list to be competitive with the athletes who were in action today [Saturday],” continued the Olympian.
The diving competitions at the World Aquatics Championships are now over. The world elite will head to the city of Berlin, which will host the World Cup Super Final in two weeks.
The Canadian water polo team handily won its round of 16 match in the women’s world championship draw against South Africa, 21-6, on Saturday. She thus secured her spot in the quarter-finals.
Emma Wright led the Canadian offense with four goals. Élyse Lemay-Lavoie and Verica Bakoc added three each. Serena Browne, Marilia Mimides, Blaire McDowell, Hayley McKelvey, Kindred Paul all scored twice, while Axelle Crevier scored one.
Daphné Guévremont was the other Quebecer on the national team.
“We did what we had to do and congratulations to South Africa getting their first top 12 at Worlds,” commented Canadian coach David Paradelo after the game where Jessica Gaudreault and Rachael Jaffe shared the work in the Canadian net.
In its next game, Canada will play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Monday.
“It will be a battle. They are a good team and they finished second at the World Cup after a close match against the United States. Both teams will be there to win, so it will be quite a duel,” concluded the Canadian driver.
The Canadian men’s team will face the American formation in the round of 16, on the night of Saturday to Sunday.