Wu Minxia (Chinese: 吴敏霞; pinyin: Wú Mǐnxiá; born 10 November 1985) is a retired Chinese diver, specializing in the 1 metre and 3 metre springboard, and synchronized 3 metre springboard events. Entering her first major championship in 2001, Wu represented China at every Asian Games, Olympic Games and FINA World Aquatics Championships through 2016. She is an eight-time world champion, and a five-time Olympic and Asian champion, making her one of the most decorated divers in history.
Career
editWu began her competitive career at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships, partnering with Guo Jingjing to win the 3 metre women's synchronized springboard. She would go on to retain the title with Guo on another three occasions, missing out in 2005 when Guo partnered with Li Ting to win in Montreal. Wu also won the same event with Guo at the 2002 Asian Games.
Wu represented China at the 2004 Summer Olympics, earning a gold medal in the 3 metre women's synchronized springboard along with Guo Jingjing before winning a silver medal in the 3 metre women's springboard, coming in second place behind Guo. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Wu earned a gold medal in the 3 metre women's synchronized springboard along with Guo before winning a bronze medal in the 3 metre women's springboard, coming in third place behind Guo and Russian Julia Pakhalina. After Guo's retirement, she participated in synchronized events with He Zi.[1]
The new partnership allowed her to retain the 3 metre synchro title at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships. It was at the same championships in her hometown where she won her only other world championship title, in the 3 metre springboard. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wu earned a gold medal in the 3 metre women's synchronized springboard[2] along with He, becoming the first woman to win gold medal in a diving event in three consecutive Olympic Games.[3] She also won a gold medal in the 3 metre springboard event. After the 3 metre springboard competition, it was revealed that her parents withheld information that her grandmother died a year before, and that her mother had cancer. Her father said he misled her to keep her focused on training. The news drew criticism in China.[4]
By winning the 3m synchronized springboard event at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships with new partner Shi Tingmao, Wu became the first person to win seven gold medals in the event.[1] At the 2014 Asian Games and the 2016 Summer Olympics, Wu earned a gold medal in the 3 metre women's synchronized springboard along with Shi.[5]
Personal life
editOn 12 May 2017, Wu accepted a marriage proposal husband Zhang Xiaocheng. The couple were married on 17 May, with the wedding ceremony being held in Fuping, Shaanxi. Their daughter was born on 19 December 2018, and son was born on 7 February 2022.[6][7][8][9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Wu Minxia ready to hit the gold trail again". FINA. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ^ "London Olympics: China's Wu wins gold in women's 3m springboard". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ CTV, CTV 2012 London Summer Olympics, airdate: 29 July 2012, circa 11:00am EDT
- ^ Minxia: Chinese Diver’s Parents Hid Family Illness, Deaths from Her. Time. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ^ "Rio Olympics 2016: Wu wins fifth diving gold for China". BBC Sport. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ^ "结束8年恋爱长跑！吴敏霞含泪接受男友求婚(图)". iFeng. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "跳水女皇吴敏霞大婚 穿中式嫁衣似天仙". iFeng. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "吴敏霞产女升级当妈妈 老公晒宝宝可爱照片报喜". Sina. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "视频：奥运冠军吴敏霞宣布好消息 二胎儿子出生". Sina Video. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.