China is closer to winning its sixth consecutive gold medal in diving after taking the top two spots in the men’s 3-meter springboard semifinals on Wednesday.
Wang Zongyuan led with 537.85 points from six dives, followed by defending Olympic champion Xie Siyi with 505.85 points. Britain’s Jack Laugher was third with 467.05 points.
Carson Tyler from the United States finished seventh but will advance to the 12-man final on Thursday. His teammate, Andrew Capobianco, did not make it through.
Wang is aiming for the top spot on the podium after winning silver on the springboard behind Xie at the Tokyo Olympics. Wang has already won gold in the 3-meter synchronized diving with Long Daoyi at these Games.
China has won gold in the first five diving events and is trying to become the first country to win all eight diving events since the program was expanded at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.