Ukraine wins European gold in synchronized diving after 26-year wait
Ukrainian diving representatives Kseniia Bochek and Diana Karnafel (Photo: Ukrainian Diving)
Ukrainian athletes have won two gold medals at the European Diving Championships taking place in Antalya. Thanks to this success, the Ukrainian national team is currently leading the tournament’s medal standings, according to the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the national Olympic team.
“Ukrainian divers won two gold medals on the fourth day of competition at the European Championships currently underway in Antalya, Türkiye!” the National Olympic Committee emphasized.
According to the committee, the Ukrainian duo of Kseniia Bochek and Diana Karnafel scored 276.84 points, finishing 10.89 points ahead of their closest rivals from Germany.
For Bochek and Karnafel, these are not only their debut medals at the European Championships but also their first appearance at the senior continental event.
This is Ukraine’s first gold in this discipline in 26 years — the previous title was won back in 1999 by Olena Zhupina and Anna Sorokina.
“Oleksii Sereda is a three-time European champion in the 10-meter platform diving,” the National Olympic Committee emphasized.
According to their data, by scoring 468.65 points in the final of the individual 10-meter platform event, Sereda outscored his closest competitor, German Oli Rossler, by 29.20 points, securing his victory.
The Ukrainian athlete stood on the podium in this discipline in 2019 (when he became the youngest European champion in the history of diving) and in 2022. For 19-year-old Oleksii, this is his 10th medal at continental championships.
Currently, the Ukrainian national team has three gold medals, which allows them to hold the interim first place in the overall team standings.
The European Diving Championships will continue until May 28.
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