In the men’s 3m springboard diving at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Sakai Sho (坂井丞) scored 376.40 points to win the bronze medal. Ikuma Senri (伊熊扇李) finished 5th, preserving Japan’s position at the top of the standings.
As the rivals repeatedly made mistakes over all 6 dives, Sakai maintained his composure and delivered a steady performance. Sakai ultimately won the bronze medal, giving Japan its first medal in the event since the 2014 Incheon Games. The 34-year-old veteran openly expressed his delight at winning the medal.
On the final, 6th dive, Ikuma Senri (伊熊扇李) fell back to 12th with 30.60 points after a troubled entry into the water. Sakai, meanwhile, scored 61.25 points on his final dive to complete the comeback, later reflecting that he had built a steady performance. He said that diving only becomes a competition when all 6 dives come together, and felt that he had achieved a steady performance.
The event was held before a crowd, with Sakai’s 3 family members watching from the stands. After the competition, he said with a smile, “I was able to show them both the medal and the podium, and I wonder if I managed to show my fatherly dignity.”
In the women’s 10m platform diving, Kaneto Rin (金戸凜) finished 5th. Japan’s results were also reported alongside those in other events.