Wu Minxia (Chinese:吴敏霞;pinyin:Wú Mǐnxiá; born 10 November 1985) is a retired Chinesediver, specializing in the 1 metre and 3 metrespringboard, and synchronized 3 metre springboard events. Entering her first major championship in 2001, Wu represented China at everyAsian Games,Olympic Games andFINA 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.
Wu began her competitive career at the2001 World Aquatics Championships, partnering withGuo 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 outin 2005 when Guo partnered withLi Ting to win in Montreal. Wu also won the same event with Guo at the2002 Asian Games.
Wu represented China at the2004 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 the2008 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 RussianJulia Pakhalina. After Guo's retirement, she participated in synchronized events withHe Zi.[1]
The new partnership allowed her to retain the 3 metre synchro title at the2011 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 the2012 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 the2013 and2015 World Championships with new partnerShi Tingmao, Wu became the first person to win seven gold medals in the event.[1] At the2014 Asian Games and the2016 Summer Olympics, Wu earned a gold medal in the 3 metre women's synchronized springboard along with Shi.[5]
On 12 May 2017, Wu accepted a marriage proposal husband Zhang Xiaocheng. The couple were married on 17 May, with the wedding ceremony being held inFuping, Shaanxi. Their daughter was born on 19 December 2018, and son was born on 7 February 2022.[6][7][8][9]
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| Preceded by | FINA Female Diver of the Year 2011, 2012 | Succeeded by |
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