Last diving World Series in Water Cube before the venue turning to Ice Cube

BEIJING, march 6 (Xinhua) -- Local Olympic champions Shi Tingmao, Cao Yuan and British stars Thomas Daley, Jack Laugher will led a total of 78 divers from 14 countries and regions to compete in the second leg of the FINA/CNSG Diving World Series, to be held here during march 7-9.

It is the last meet at the Chinese National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) before it will be renovated into the Ice Cube to stage the curling competition during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

Shi Tingmao, FINA Best Women Diver in four years in a row, said during the pre-meet press conference: "It is always great and sweet to compete in the Water Cube. I have just changed a new but long-time friend Wang Han as my synchro partner. Wang is very excellent and skillful. I hope we can show our best in front of the home crowds."

Cao Yuan, who collected two golds from synchro platform and synchro springboard as well as one silver medal in the individual 3m springboard in the first leg in Sagamihara, Japan, said he will continue his task in three events. "It is a big challenge to me to handle three events from springboard and platform. I need to find the balance in between," Cao said.

Thomas Daley was happy to come back to Water Cube again with a new title-Super Daddy after he had a son of eight-month old.

"I took four months off with my family because I now have a a son. It changed my perspective a lot on training of diving and the little things I used to find stressful. For me being able to train and be able to dive is all the more important now because I have someone that I want to lay proud," said Daley who made a strong comeback in last week in Japan as he finished second in the 10m platform with 579.85 points, just behind Chinese Yang Jian's 586.20.

"It was the first competition for the international stage back since my break and it went pretty well last week. So I'm looking forward to competing here in the Water Cube," Daley said.

For Jack Laugher, 2016 Olympic gold medallist in the 3m synchro springboard, who had an operation on ankle last year and expected a better season in 2019.

"I had a difficult season last year, but I am getting ready this year. It is always one of my favorite leg in China and where I always did pretty well. I am really glad to be here," Laugher said.

According to Yang Qiyong, director of the Water Cube, it is the ninth edition of World Series being held here and last one before the venue makes transition into Ice Cube. "Hope you enjoy the top diving competition here and then we will turn the Water Cube into Ice Cube. And welcome next year that we will have a half aquatic and a half of ice sport venue next year!"

China swept all ten gold medals on offer during the first leg of the FINA/CNSG Diving World Series in Japan.