GWANGJU, South Korea – David Dinsmore (New Albany, Ohio/Miami, Fla.) and Brandon Loschiavo (Huntington Beach, Calif./West Lafayette, Ind.) have advanced to Saturday’s men’s 10-meter final after placing fifth and ninth in Friday’s semifinals at the FINA World Championships. With Dinsmore and Loschiavo qualifying for the final, the U.S. also secured two more quota spots for the 2020 Olympic Games.
“We came in with the goal of finaling so we could get the Olympic spots for Team USA. We both accomplished that, so I think both of us are pretty happy,” Dinsmore said.
Dinsmore scored 483.60 points in the semifinal, highlighted by a back 3 ½ pike and a back 2 ½ with 2 ½ twists that earned 91.80 points apiece.
“I’d like to try to get in the top eight (in finals) for those World Series spots. I know we both dove pretty well today, but I’ve got a little bit left in the tank to do a little bit better tomorrow, and I know (Loschiavo) does too,” Dinsmore said.
Loschiavo qualified for the final with 433.70 points. In 13th place at the halfway point, Loschiavo moved into qualifying position when his fourth-round back 3 ½ pike scored 77.40 points and put him in 11th place, but just 6.75 points ahead of the 13th-place diver. He followed up with an 85.10-point front 4 ½ tuck that helped solidify his spot in the final.
The top 12 divers in the individual events and the top three synchronized teams qualify their countries to the Tokyo Games. The U.S. earned seven of a maximum 12 quota spots at the World Championships, the first opportunity for countries to qualify for Tokyo. The U.S. has earned its maximum two spots in each of the men’s 10-meter, women’s 10-meter and men’s 3-meter individual events and has also qualified in women’s synchronized 10-meter. Spots are for the countries, not the divers themselves. The U.S. will have an opportunity to pick up a women's 3-meter spot at next month's Pan American Games, and the 2020 World Cup will also be a qualifier.
Diving events at the FINA World Championships continue through July 24. Saturday’s competition begins with the mixed synchronized 3-meter contest, with Maria Coburn (Round Rock, Texas/Tucson, Ariz.) and Briadam Herrera (Miami, Fla.) competing for the United States. The men’s 10-meter final is set for Saturday evening.
