ROME, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Paola Espinosa's Chinese coach Ma Jin said that her student has over performed upsetting Olympic champion Chen Ruolin to win the women's 10-meter platform diving at the world championships here on Saturday.

    "I had never expected her to win the gold medal," Ma said. "She struggled in the preliminaries. She has really over performed."

    Espinosa scored 428.25 points through five dives for the gold. Chen took the silver medal with 417.60 points and her teammate Kang Li finished third with 410.35.

    Espinosa gave Ma an exciting hug after the surprise win. Ma, who moved to Mexico from China to be a coach six years ago, could not hold back her tears.

    "I had experienced too many difficulties during the past six years. Now they have been paid off," Ma said.

    Ma admitted that she has never thought of snatching a title from the all-conquering Chinese divers.

    "I had never thought about that," Ma said. "I am always a Chinese and I think I also won honor for my country by winning this title."