Men's platform: Lin has perfect 10s

Teenage diver Lin Yue of China saved his brilliant best for last in the men's 10m platform final at Hamad Aquatic Centre. The 15 year-old sensation scored more than 100 points for his last two dives, including four perfect 10s, to win his second gold medal of the Games.

DPR Korea's Ri Jong Nam and Zhou Luxin of China were the early leaders and Lin didn't hit the front until round three after executing an arm-stand dive with a 3.6 degree of difficulty.

Zhou, 18, kept up the pressure on his younger team mate, however, taking back the lead with his fourth dive which scored 86.40 points, and followed that with a score of 89.60.

But Lin was unfazed and executed an almost flawless fifth dive in reply. His reverse three-and-a-half somersault, tuck position, received 100.30 points including four perfect 10s - the first 10s awarded in an individual diving event at Doha 2006.

Approaching his sixth and final dive, Lin needed 85 points for the gold medal, which he gained easily. He was awarded 102.60 points for an excellent back two-and-a-half somersault with two-and-a-half twists, pike position, and finished the night with 551.50 points. Zhou had to settle for silver on 533.90 points.

Kim Chon Man of DPR Korea improved by almost 40 points on his preliminary round performance to win the bronze medal with a total of 456.35. It was his second medal of the Games after he won silver in the 10m platform synchronised with Ri Jong Nam on Monday 11 December.

The most disappointing performance in the final was from Korea's Kim Jin Yong, who was in third place after the preliminary round, but ruled himself out of medal contention after making costly errors in the third and fourth rounds.

"I didn't do very well in the first several dives tonight," remarked a focused Lin after his series. "I made some small mistakes, but in the latter dives I did well, especially the 307C [reverse three-and-a-half somersault].

"These are my first Asian Games and I am trying to increase my degrees of difficulty as well as the quality of my dives. I will learn from the former world champions and Olympic champions to improve myself."

Meanwhile, Lin's team mate Zhou felt his silver medal winning performance merited an eight out of ten score, but praised his compatriot on his gold winning success. He said, "I was very happy for him [Lin]. We are all one team. I lost it in terms of my skills and the degree of dive difficulty I chose. I have not done it so far [3.8] but I will practice in China and try to do my best."

15th Asian Games, Doha 2006