PHOENIX, Arizona, November 23. WITH just more than a week until the celebratory December issue of Swimming World debuts this year, we're excited to begin rolling out the award-winners for our various honors culminating with the World Swimmers of the Year being announced on Dec. 1.
This year, Swimming World added to its usual swimmer awards by expanding its reach towards all the aquatic sports. Today, we announce the Divers of the Year. USA Diving's Jennifer Lowery, who works with media relations at the organization, provided the features on both of our winners in the December issue.
The following are excerpts from those features:
If Guo Jingjing is known as the Diving Queen in China, her countryman, Qin Kai, should be known as the Diving King for his near-perfect diving performances in 2007. Both divers earned Swimming World Magazine's end-of-the-year honors.
GUO JINGJING, China
Female Diver of the Year
Guo Jingjing is known as the Diving Queen in her home country of China.
What she accomplished in 2007 simply added to her royalty in the diving world and earned her Swimming World Magazine's Female Diver of the Year award.
Upon winning the gold medal on three-meter at the FINA World Championships, she became the first individual to win four consecutive world titles on an individual event. U.S. legends Greg Louganis and Phil Boggs had tied for the previous record with three each.
QIN KAI, China
Male Diver of the Year
The men's three-meter final at the 2007 FINA World Championships was one to remember.
The top eight finishers all scored 90 points on at least one of their dives, and 18 10s were awarded throughout the night.
It would take near perfection to come out on top with that field.
China's Qin Kai was just that, making it an easy call for Swimming World Magazine's Male Diver of the Year award.
For the complete articles written by Jennifer Lowery, as well as the other end of the year awards, keep an eye out for the December issue of Swimming World.
