Latest news with #AinsleeKwang
CNA
an hour ago
- Sport
- CNA
World Aquatics Championships diving highlights
The World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore will come to a close on Aug 3. Here's a look at highlights from the diving events. By CNA/Wallace Woon Singapore's Ainslee Kwang, 14, at the women's 10m platform semi-finals on Jul 31. Mexico's Abigail Gonzalez Roel, who's also 14 years old. China's Chen Yuxi, who topped the women's 10m platform semi-finals. She eventually brought home the gold at the finals with 430.50 points. Britain's Maisie Bond. Italy's Sarah Jodoin Di Maria. Canada's Katelyn Fung. North Korea's Jo Jin Mi. Italians Simone Conte and Riccardo Giovannini at the men's 10m synchronised platform preliminaries on Jul 29. Austria's Anton Knoll and Dariush Lotfi (top) as well as Australia's Jonah Mercieca and Jaxon Bowshire. British divers Kyle Kothari and Robbie Lee (top) as well as Cuba's Carlos Daniel Ramos Rodriguez and Bernaldo Arias Pena. India's Ningthoujam Willson Singh and Indiver Sairem (top) as well as North Korea's Jo Ryu Myong and Ko Che Won. Next Story
CNA
a day ago
- Sport
- CNA
14-year-old Singaporean diver at the World Aquatics Championships
14-year-old Singaporean diver at the World Aquatics Championships By CNA/Wallace Woon Diver Ainslee Kwang bowed out of the 10m women's platform semi-finals on Jul 31, after missing out on qualification for the finals. Kwang made history by being the first Singaporean diver to qualify for the semi-finals. She finished 152.30 points off the round's leader, Chinese diver Chen Yuxi. Kwang was among the two youngest divers in the semi-finals, finishing ahead of the round's other 14-year-old, Mexican Abigail Gonzalez Roel. Speaking to CNA, Kwang said the semi-finals had been "surprisingly fun". Next Story
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
China factory activity unexpectedly worsens as exports stumble
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox China's National Bureau of Statistics blamed high temperatures, heavy rain, and flooding in some regions for disrupting the manufacturing industry. BEIJING – China's factory activity unexpectedly deteriorated in July to a six-month low despite a tariff truce with the US, as early signs emerge exports are slowing and weak domestic demand persists. The official manufacturing purchasing managers' index was 49.3, versus 49.7 in June, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on July 31. The median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg was 49.7. A reading below 50 indicates contraction. The non-manufacturing measure of activity in construction and services fell to 50.1 from 50.5 last month, according to the statistics office. That compared with a forecast of 50.2. In a statement accompanying the data release, NBS blamed high temperatures, heavy rain, and flooding in some regions for disrupting the manufacturing industry, which it said entered 'the traditional off-season' in July. The PMI figures are the first official data available each month to provide a snapshot of the health of the Chinese economy. China's top leaders touted the nation's economic strength at a gathering of the decision-making Politburo on July 30. That came after the country registered a record trade surplus in the first half of the year on soaring shipments to southeast Asia and stabilising exports to the United States. But China's resilience is facing headwinds. Cargo throughput at the nation's ports last week was the lowest in almost three months and dropped nearly 7 per cent from the previous seven days, a sign trade may be starting to slow. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Trump says US will set 15% tariff on South Korean imports under new deal Business US Fed holds rates steady despite Trump's pressure, with two governors dissenting Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Singapore $10 million Toto results to be announced on July 31, after no winners in last 3 draws World Canada to recognise Palestinian state at UN General Assembly: Carney Sport Ainslee Kwang, 14, becomes first Singaporean diver to qualify for World Aquatics C'ships semi-finals Multimedia Firefly-inspired light show at Gardens By The Bay's Supertree Grove Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Weak consumption could intensify deflationary pressures. A recent survey by the central bank found that Chinese households became more pessimistic last quarter and their view of the jobs market fell to its worst ever. That's fanned fears of a slowdown in the second half of the year, even after a strong first six months of activity exceeded the official annual expansion target of about 5 per cent. BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Ainslee Kwang, 14, becomes first Singaporean diver to qualify for World Aquatics C'ships semi-final
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Ainslee Kwang competing in the preliminaries of the women's 10m platform at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on July 30. SINGAPORE – It is her World Aquatics Championships (WCH) debut and 14-year-old Ainslee Kwang made sure it will be a one to remember by becoming the first Singaporean diver to qualify for the WCH semi-finals. In the preliminary round of the women's 10m platform on the morning of July 30, the Secondary 2 student from Methodist Girls' School finished 13th out of 37 with a personal best 285.00 points after five dives. Her previous PB was 284.75. Only the top 18 divers go through to the semi-finals on July 31 at the OCBC Aquatic Centre. China's Chen Yuxi was the top qualifier with 396.50 points, ahead of compatriot Xie Peiling (337.50) and North Korea's Jo Jin Mi (323.50). On her qualification, Ainslee said: 'Honestly, I was aiming for it, but I was never really confident about if I was going to (make it) or not. 'It hasn't struck me yet that I actually did so well, but at the same time, I'm nervous about whether I can keep up this standard. 'I'll try my best, but we'll see, because diving is really (unpredictable). You really don't know what's going to happen next. ' Her coach Charlie Tu called her semi-final qualification 'an incredible moment for all of us', adding: 'Ainslee's achievement is a testament to her hard work and the support from everyone around her. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating Singapore 3 taken to hospital after fire in Marsiling flat Singapore School, parents on alert after vape peddlers approach primary school pupil Singapore Tampines, Toa Payoh BTO flats most popular among first-time home buyers in July HDB launch Sport Leon Marchand sets first world record at World Aquatics C'ships in Singapore Singapore Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total Singapore Provision shop owner who raped 11-year-old gets more than 14 years' jail Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made 'As her coach, I feel really proud and inspired because it shows that with dedication and the right guidance, our athletes can compete on the world stage. This milestone is not just hers, but a big win for the Singapore diving community.' Ainslee, who started swimming at six years old and took up diving a year later, hopes to maintain her consistency in the semi-finals, where only the top 12 will qualify for the evening's final. 'Competing at the world championships has been an incredible experience, and for the semi-finals, my goal is to stay consistent and execute each dive to the best of my ability ,' she added. 'Being on home ground helped settle my nerves, with the support of my family, friends, teammates and coaches making a big difference. 'My next goal is the SEA Games in December, where I hope to build on what I've learnt here and continue improving .' Matteo Santoro (left) and Chiara Pellacani of Italy in action during the World Aquatics Championships Mixed 3m Synchronised Diving finals held at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on July 30. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG In the mixed 3m synchronised final in the evening, Italian duo Chiara Pellacani and Matteo Santoro came from behind to clinch the gold after a mistake in the fourth dive by China's Li Yajie and Cheng Zilong. The crowd roared straight after the Italians' fifth and final dive as their 308.13 total meant that they finished first, ahead of Australia's Maddison Keeney and Cassiel Rousseau (307.26) and the Chinese pair, who took the bronze with 305.70 points. This is the Italian pair's first gold after finishing second in 2022, third in 2023 and second again in 2024. Pellacani, who jumped onto Santoro and was screaming after their final dive, said: 'It feels incredible. We worked hard for this. We were trying to keep it calm during all the dives and we're very happy that we made it. 'I can't believe (it), we just started screaming (after the dive), because it was crazy just to see on the board that we were first... So it's just emotions that it's hard to describe.' There was confusion over the signal to start their fourth dive, which resulted in the Chinese pair dropping to second and eventually third after the final dive. Li said: 'We had some issues... When we were preparing to jump, we had already stepped out, and then the whistle was blown. 'There might have been a problem, maybe he (Cheng) didn't hear it, but I was the one calling the rhythm, and I did hear it. That might have had some impact and we were worried that if we jumped, they might not give us a score and might even give us zero.' Li added: 'I do have some regrets, but I don't think this will affect me too much. There will still be other competitions in the future. ' Singapore's Max Lee and Ashlee Tan (233.91) finished 12th out of 19. There was no preliminary round for this event, with all pairs proceeding straight to the final.
CNA
4 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Singapore's youngest athlete makes debut against world's elite at just 14
It's been a weekend to remember for Team Singapore's youngest athlete at the World Aquatics Championships. Diver Ainslee Kwang, 14, may not have reached the podium — but she still counts it as a proud moment to represent her country. An opportunity to learn from the world's best and build rapport with her team mates, she's also laying the foundations for her upcoming challenge - the SEA Games in December.
