In a triumphant return to the Olympic stage, seasoned Chinese diver Xie Siyi successfully defended his men's 3m springboard title at the Paris Olympics last night, scoring an impressive 543.60 points. His teammate Wang Zongyuan, who has emerged as the new leader in the event, secured silver with 530.20 points.
(Photo: Xinhua)
Xie, who had previously won both the individual and synchronized 3m springboard golds at the previous Olympics, had taken a sabbatical from the sport before returning to training last year, describing his performance as a "return of the king."
The final saw Xie and Wang once again partnering up for China, but this time around, the dynamic had shifted, with Wang taking on the mantle of the team's leading figure. After his hiatus, Xie resumed training last year and rejoined the national squad by the end of the year, while Wang dominated the international scene during the Paris Olympic cycle, virtually sweeping all titles.
The road back: Wife's encouragement fueled his determination
"After stepping away from the sport, seeing my teammates raise the national flag and sing the anthem still stirred something deep within me," Xie reflected. "I kept imagining myself joining them, hoisting the flag for China. So, I asked myself if I could really do it again."
(Photo: Xinhua)
It was at this juncture that Xie's wife played a pivotal role. "We talked a lot," he recalled. "She said if I truly wanted to come back and continue with my passion for diving, I should go all in, leaving nothing behind. She urged me to overcome all obstacles and keep pushing forward."
Following a comprehensive assessment by experts from the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau, Xie made the decision to return to competition. Initially eager but cautious, he learned to embrace the possibility of failure, believing that as an Olympic champion, it was crucial to maintain such a mindset for future endeavors. He deliberately kept a low profile over the past year, avoiding distractions and focusing solely on his preparation.
Guangdong diving team coach He Weiyi revealed that since resuming training, Xie has been managing his own preparation, collaborating with coaches to devise training plans rather than simply following instructions. "I'm truly impressed by his determination to keep going," He said.
Looking ahead: Aiming for the 15th National Games
Having missed the Rio Olympics due to injury and competing with metal screws still in his feet at the Tokyo Olympics, Xie remains unfazed. "The screws are made of a material that can be absorbed by the body, but I'm not sure what's happening now," he said matter-of-factly.
(Photo: Xinhua)
Comparing his two Olympic experiences, Xie noted that he was more technically focused in his first outing and more mentally prepared this time around. "I'm grateful to my family, especially my wife, for their unwavering support when I was unsure about returning," he added.
With his Olympic title secured, Xie has set his sights on the upcoming 15th National Games, which will be held on home soil. As for whether he would continue for another four years, he left the door open for possibilities.
Author | Alice
Editor | Monica, James
