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Fu fails to make history as Russians win 3m synchro diving
SYDNEY, Sept 23 (AFP) - Former child prodigy Fu Mingxia failed in her bid for a fourth Olympic gold here Saturday, when she and Chinese partner Guo Jingjing were defeated in the synchronized springboard event by Russian pair Vera Ilina and Ioulina Pakhalina. The Russian European champions scored a total of 332.64 points after five dives in the synchro event making its Olympic debut in Sydney. The Chinese achieved silver with a combined score of 321.60, with Ukrainians Ganna Sorokina and Olena Zhupina third on 290.34 points. "We tried out best. The Russian's were technically better. The judges thought our skills weren't as good on the synchronized part," said a disappointed Fu, who had been bidding to overtake Americans Greg Louganis and Pat McCormick, with four golds apiece, as the most titled Olympic diver in history. Fu, who became the youngest diving world champion aged 12 years before being crowned Olympic champion the following year, needed a double win her to put her on top of the all time gold medal haul in diving. Burned out as an 18-year-old, Fu had ended a post-Atlanta retirement in her bid to become the first diver ever to win five gold medals. Atlanta silver medallist Ilina, 26, and European champion Pakhalina, 23, had been regarded as the strongest challengers to Fu and 18-year-old Guo after winning the Sydney World Cup together earlier this year. The 22-year-old Fu is now looking towards a record-equalling fourth gold when she defends her springboard title which competition get underway on September 27. "Today's event is finished. I'm just concentrating on the next," added Fu.
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