1. Overview
Chen Aisen (陈艾森Chén ÀisēnChinese, born October 22, 1995) is a highly accomplished Chinese diver specializing in the 10-meter platform event, both individually and in synchronized competitions. He is a double Olympic gold medalist from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where he secured titles in both the men's 10m platform and men's synchronized 10m platform. His Olympic success continued with a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Throughout his career, Chen has also amassed multiple gold and silver medals at the World Aquatics Championships, FINA Diving World Cup, and FINA Diving World Series, establishing himself as one of China's most prominent divers.
2. Early Life
Chen Aisen's journey into the world of diving began at a young age in his hometown, where his natural aptitude for the sport was quickly recognized.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Chen Aisen was born on October 22, 1995, in Guangzhou, China. He initially began practicing gymnastics at the age of four. However, at seven years old, he transitioned to diving after sustaining a hand injury. His potential in diving was identified early, leading to his selection for training while he was still in primary school. He was coached by Tan Jingyu during the initial stages of his diving career. Chen later pursued higher education at Jinan University in Guangzhou.
2.2. Early Career
Chen Aisen's competitive diving career began to take shape in his early teenage years. He made his international debut at just 14 years old. In 2009, he achieved his first significant international success, winning a gold medal in the men's 10m synchronized event at the 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong, partnered with Zhang Yanquan. Over the following years, Chen consistently participated in FINA Diving Grand Prix competitions, where he earned a variety of medals. He also secured a gold medal at the National Diving Championships. In the 2011 and 2012 seasons, he continued his winning streak in both individual and synchronized 10m platform events at the FINA Diving World Series and Grand Prix. In 2014, Chen and Zhang Yanquan further solidified their partnership by winning the 10m synchronized event at the Asian Championships.
3. Diving Career
Chen Aisen's professional diving career is marked by numerous victories and consistent high-level performances across major international competitions, often partnering with other elite Chinese divers.
3.1. Olympic Games
Chen Aisen has been a standout performer at the Olympic Games, securing multiple medals for China.
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Chen achieved double gold. He first won the gold medal in the men's synchronized 10m platform event with his partner Lin Yue, achieving an impressive overall score of 496.98. He then went on to claim his second gold medal in the men's individual 10m platform event, scoring 585.30 points. This individual victory was particularly significant as it marked China's first Olympic gold in the men's 10m platform since the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. His achievement made him the first Chinese diver to win both the individual and synchronized Olympic gold medals in the 10m platform event.
At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which were held in 2021, Chen Aisen, partnered with Cao Yuan, earned a silver medal in the men's synchronized 10m platform event, finishing behind the British pair of Matty Lee and Tom Daley.
3.2. World Aquatics Championships
Chen Aisen has consistently medaled at the World Aquatics Championships, demonstrating his prowess in both synchronized and individual platform events.
In 2015, Chen, paired with Lin Yue, won the gold medal in the 10m synchronized event at the World Championships in Kazan, with a total score of 495.72. At the 2017 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, he secured another gold medal in the 10m synchronized event, this time with his new partner, Yang Hao. In the same championships, he also earned a silver medal in the individual 10m platform event, which was won by British diver Tom Daley. At the 2019 World Aquatics Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea, Chen partnered with Cao Yuan to win gold in the 10m synchronized event.
3.3. FINA Diving World Cup
Chen Aisen has achieved significant success at the FINA Diving World Cup, securing multiple medals.
At the 2016 FINA Diving World Cup held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Chen won the gold medal in the 10m synchronized competition and a silver medal in the 10m platform competition. In the 2018 FINA Diving World Cup in Wuhan, he claimed gold medals in both the men's 10m synchronized and men's 10m platform events. He also won a gold medal in the Team event at the 2014 FINA Diving World Cup in Shanghai, partnered with Huang Xiaohui, achieving a score of 408.60.
3.4. FINA Diving World Series
Chen Aisen has maintained a strong presence and consistent performance throughout the FINA Diving World Series, accumulating numerous gold medals.
During the 2013 FINA Diving World Series, Chen won three gold medals in the 10m synchronized events with Lin Yue across the Moscow, Dubai, and Beijing legs of the competition. He also secured silver medals in the individual events in Beijing and Dubai, and a bronze medal in the 10m platform final in Moscow. In 2014, Chen teamed up with Yang Jian to win one gold and one silver medal in the 10m synchronized event. He also won a gold medal in the 10m platform final in Moscow and a silver in London.
In 2015, Chen partnered with Lin Yue again, and together they won a total of five gold medals in the 10m synchronized events. Additionally, he won two gold medals in the 10m mixed synchronized platform with He Zi in Beijing and Dubai. The following year, during the 2016 FINA Diving World Series, Chen and Lin Yue dominated the 10m synchronized competitions, winning all four legs of the series. Chen also competed in the 10m platform events, where he won three gold medals and one silver medal, achieving higher scores than fellow Chinese diver Qiu Bo in three of the legs.
In 2017, Chen continued his strong performance in the FINA Diving World Series, winning multiple gold medals in both the 10m platform and 10m synchronized events. In the Guangzhou leg, Chen achieved an impressive overall score of 601.15 in the 10m platform, making him the fifth diver in history to surpass 600 points on the platform, following Lin Yue, Qiu Bo, Yang Jian, and Cao Yuan.
3.5. Other Major Competitions
Beyond the major FINA events, Chen Aisen has also excelled in other significant international tournaments. At the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, he secured a gold medal in the 10m synchronized platform event with Zhang Yanquan, scoring 462.90 points. In 2018, he and Yang Hao won a gold medal in the 10m synchronized platform at the Asian Games in Jakarta.
3.5.1. Detailed Competitive Record
| Year | Competition | Event | Partner | Score | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | |||||
| FINA Diving Grand Prix - Rostock | 10m platform | - | 576.10 | 1st | |
| 10m synchronized platform | Zheng Zhiqun | 405.78 | 3rd | ||
| FINA Diving Grand Prix - Fort Lauderdale | 10m synchronized platform | Wo Liang | 442.29 | 1st | |
| FINA Diving Grand Prix - Madrid | 10m platform | - | 536.20 | 1st | |
| 10m synchronized platform | Yang Jian | 428.10 | 3rd | ||
| FINA Diving Grand Prix - Madrid | 10m platform | - | 483.55 | 2nd | |
| 10m synchronized platform | Yang Jian | 438.24 | 1st | ||
| 2013 | |||||
| FINA Diving World Series - Beijing | Men 10m platform final | - | 551.55 | 2nd | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Lin Yue | 493.47 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Dubai | Men 10m platform final | - | 571.60 | 2nd | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Lin Yue | 490.95 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Moscow | Men 10m platform final | - | 514.25 | 3rd | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Lin Yue | 471.18 | 1st | ||
| 2014 | |||||
| FINA Diving World Series - London | 10m platform | - | 553.25 | 2nd | |
| 10m synchronized platform | Yang Jian | 479.13 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Moscow | 10m platform | - | 563.30 | 1st | |
| 10m synchronized platform | Yang Jian | 444.66 | 2nd | ||
| FINA Diving World Cup - Shanghai | Team | Huang Xiaohui | 408.60 | 1st | |
| Asian Games - Incheon | 10m synchronized platform | Zhang Yanquan | 462.90 | 1st | |
| 2015 | |||||
| FINA Diving World Series - Beijing | 10m synchronized platform | Lin Yue | 486.75 | 1st | |
| 10m mixed synchronized platform | He Zi | 330.00 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Dubai | 10m synchronized platform | Lin Yue | 484.23 | 1st | |
| 10m mixed synchronized platform | He Zi | 338.40 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Kazan | 10m synchronized platform | Lin Yue | 462.78 | 1st | |
| FINA Diving World Series - London | 10m synchronized platform | Lin Yue | 474.84 | 1st | |
| 16th World Aquatics Championships - Kazan | 10m synchronized platform | Lin Yue | 495.72 | 1st | |
| 2016 | |||||
| 20th FINA Diving World Cup - Rio de Janeiro | Men 10m platform final | - | 534.25 | 2nd | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Lin Yue | 456.00 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Beijing | Men 10m platform final | - | 572.40 | 1st | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Lin Yue | 477.15 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Dubai | Men 10m platform final | - | 569.15 | 2nd | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Lin Yue | 466.50 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Windsor | Men 10m platform final | - | 590.15 | 1st | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Lin Yue | 482.01 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Kazan | Men 10m platform final | - | 572.40 | 1st | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Lin Yue | 485.67 | 1st | ||
| 2016 Summer Olympics - Rio de Janeiro | Men 10m platform final | - | 585.30 | 1st | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Lin Yue | 496.98 | 1st | ||
| 2017 | |||||
| FINA Diving World Series - Beijing | Men 10m platform final | - | 556.25 | 1st | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Yang Hao | 488.85 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Guangzhou | Men 10m platform final | - | 601.15 | 1st | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Yang Hao | 463.71 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Kazan | Men 10m platform final | - | 580.60 | 1st | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Yang Hao | 462.57 | 1st | ||
| FINA Diving World Series - Windsor | Men 10m platform final | - | 569.10 | 1st | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Yang Hao | 477.84 | 1st | ||
| 17th World Aquatics Championships - Budapest | Men 10m platform final | - | 585.25 | 2nd | |
| Men 10m synchro final | Yang Hao | 498.48 | 1st | ||
| 2018 | |||||
| Asian Games - Jakarta | 10m synchronized platform | Yang Hao | N/A | 1st | |
| FINA Diving World Cup - Wuhan | 10m synchronized platform | Yang Hao | N/A | 1st | |
| FINA Diving World Cup - Wuhan | 10m platform | - | N/A | 1st | |
| 2019 | |||||
| World Aquatics Championships - Gwangju | 10m synchronized platform | Cao Yuan | N/A | 1st | |
| 2021 | |||||
| 2020 Summer Olympics - Tokyo | 10m synchronized platform | Cao Yuan | N/A | 2nd | |
4. Awards and Recognition
For his exceptional achievements in diving, Chen Aisen has received significant recognition. In 2016, following his double gold medal performance at the Rio Olympics, FINA (now World Aquatics) named him the FINA Male Diver of the Year.
5. Personal Life
Chen Aisen maintains a relatively private personal life. He stands at 5.5 ft (1.68 m) tall and weighs 132 lb (60 kg). He represents the Guangdong Province club in competitions.
6. Legacy and Impact
Chen Aisen has left a significant mark on the sport of diving, particularly within China's dominant diving team. His achievement of being the first Chinese diver to win both individual and synchronized Olympic gold medals in the 10m platform underscores his unique talent and contribution to the sport. Furthermore, his ability to consistently achieve high scores, including joining the exclusive "600+ club" in the 10m platform event, demonstrates his technical mastery and competitive excellence. His partnerships with various top-tier divers like Lin Yue, Zhang Yanquan, Yang Hao, and Cao Yuan highlight his adaptability and crucial role in China's synchronized diving success. Chen Aisen's career serves as an inspiration for aspiring divers and solidifies his place among the elite in the history of the sport.