China’s Diving Prodigies: Navigating a Career Crossroads

The era of the “Diving Three Little Ones” has officially reached its emotional conclusion, marking the end of one of the most dominant periods in the history of women’s platform diving. For years, the trio of Quan Hongchan, Chen Yuxi, and Zhang Jiaqi captivated global audiences not only with their technical precision but with a genuine friendship that transcended the fierce competition of the 10m platform.

The transition became concrete during the 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao National Games, which served as the final joint appearance for the three athletes. While Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi continue to defend their positions at the pinnacle of the sport, Zhang Jiaqi has stepped away from professional competition, signaling a divergence in the paths of three girls who grew up together under the intense scrutiny of the world stage.

For sports enthusiasts and diving analysts, this transition represents more than just a retirement; This proves the closing of a chapter where three prodigies simultaneously redefined the standards of the women’s 10m platform. Their journey, spanning nearly a decade, transformed them from shy children into Olympic icons and national heroes.

The Final Farewell: 2025 National Games

The emotional weight of the era’s end peaked on November 6, 2025, during the preliminary rounds of the women’s synchronized 10m platform at the 15th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao National Games. In a moment that has since gone viral across social media, the three athletes shared a tearful embrace, acknowledging that they would never again compete together as teammates on the same stage According to reports from the 2025 National Games.

The event served as a poignant bookend to a relationship that began in the high-pressure environment of national qualifiers. While the world saw them as rivals for gold medals, the athletes themselves viewed each other as sisters-in-arms, weathering the physical and mental tolls of elite diving together. The 2025 Games were not just a competition, but a farewell to the “Three Little Ones” era.

Zhang Jiaqi: The Trailblazer’s Novel Chapter

Among the trio, Zhang Jiaqi was the first to ascend to stardom. Her rise was meteoric; at just 12 years traditional, she secured the championship at the 2016 National Diving Championships. By 2017, at age 13, she dominated the National Games, winning both the individual and synchronized 10m platform titles with a staggering score of 427.45 as documented in career retrospectives. She further cemented her legacy by winning her first world title at the 2018 Diving World Cup.

Now 21, Zhang has embraced a life beyond the pool. Recently, she transitioned into the entertainment sphere, appearing on a variety display where she was notably the youngest guest. Despite her retirement, her bond with her former teammates remains intact. In a recent appearance, Zhang was seen video-calling Quan Hongchan to share a lighthearted moment over a horse with “diagonal bangs,” illustrating that while their professional paths have diverged, their personal connection remains unchanged.

The Rise of the “Black Horse” and the Constant

The dynamic of the group shifted in October 2020, when a 13-year-old Quan Hongchan emerged as a “black horse” in the sport. In her first national competition, the National Diving Championships, Quan stunned the field by scoring 437.75, defeating both Chen Yuxi and Zhang Jiaqi to take the gold per competition records. This victory served as the catalyst for her legendary run at the Tokyo Olympics, where she earned gold with three perfect-score dives.

Parallel to Quan’s explosive entry was the steady brilliance of Chen Yuxi. Chen rose to prominence in 2018, winning the National Diving Championships with a score of 421.10. She joined the national team in 2019 and quickly established herself as a world-class force, winning the 2019 World Championships with a score of 439. Chen has often been the stabilizing force of the trio, providing a consistent benchmark of excellence that pushed both Zhang and Quan to higher heights.

Comparison of Early Career Breakthroughs

What This Means for the Future of Diving

The departure of Zhang Jiaqi leaves Quan Hongchan (now 19) and Chen Yuxi as the primary torchbearers for China’s 10m platform dominance. The “Three Little Ones” were unique because they pushed each other in a closed loop of excellence; the internal competition within the Chinese national team was often more grueling than the international finals themselves.

For the global diving community, the focus now shifts to how Quan and Chen will evolve without the third pillar of their support system. The psychological impact of Zhang’s retirement is evident in the public displays of affection and support the remaining two have shown toward her. Their shared history—from the days of Quan’s “frizzy hair” and shyness at her first meet to their current status as seasoned veterans—provides a blueprint for how young athletes can maintain mental health and friendship amidst extreme competition.

The legacy of the “Three Little Ones” will likely be remembered as a golden age of the 10m platform, characterized by a rare blend of childlike innocence and professional ruthlessness. They proved that elite performance does not have to come at the cost of human connection.

As Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi prepare for their next international cycle, the sporting world will be watching to spot if a new trio can emerge to challenge their reign, or if the era of the “Three Little Ones” was a once-in-a-generation phenomenon.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the remaining duo will be the upcoming international diving circuit and Olympic qualifying events, where Quan and Chen are expected to continue their pursuit of gold.

Do you think the bond between the “Three Little Ones” contributed to their success on the platform? Share your thoughts in the comments below.