Guo Jingjing

Guo was the dominant springboard diver of the 2000s, winning individual and synchronised 3m gold at both Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 and ten world titles. Springboard rewards timing with the board's flex more than raw height, and her hurdle and take-off were so consistent that she rarely needed the highest tariff list to win. Her synchro partnership with Wu Minxia set the template for China's dominance of the event.