DIVING: Triple Olympian Melissa Wu has made a strong start to the Aquatics World Championships diving selection trials in Sydney by partnering with South Australia’s Taneka Kovchenko to win the women’s platform synchro final.

Plus, 2016 Olympian Kevin Chavez and South Australian Mathew Carter have won an incredibly close men’s springboard synchro final, the final margin less than two points.

Wu, who was won three World Championship synchro medals, her first in her debut performance in 2007, has been in strong form this year, winning silver in the platform final at a World Series event in Canada last month.

Wu and Kovchenko finished on 331.68 points, well ahead of Emily Meaney and Brittany O’Brien on 279.18.

It’s Wu’s first major event diving with Kovchenko.

The 25-year-old is in line for her sixth World Championship performance when the final squad for Budapest is announced later this week.

Chavez and Carter just held on to take the gold in the men’s 3-metre synchro, withstanding a late challenge by two-time Olympian, James Conner, and his partner, Kurtis Mathews.

Chavez and Carter finished on 410.97 points, with Connor and Mathews on 409.23.

Four finals will be contested at Homebush on Thursday, including the women’s platform, men’s 3-metre and women’s 1-metre.

The mixed 3-metre synchro, which has been added to the World Championships program this year, will also be contested.

Ross Solly
Diving Australia