BEIJING — He Chong easily won the gold medal on the men's 3-meter springboard Tuesday, making China 6-for-6 in Olympic diving.

He earned 11 perfect marks of 10.0 in the six-round final Tuesday night, totaling 572.90 points and giving China its fourth consecutive Olympic title in the event.

Diving with his right knee bandaged, He earned 11 perfect marks of 10.0 in the six-round final Tuesday night, totaling 572.90 points and giving China its fourth consecutive Olympic title in the event.

The host nation has equaled its diving gold medals from four years ago in Athens.

Alexandre Despatie of Canada took the silver for the second consecutive Olympics with 536.65. He hit his last dive, climbed out of the pool and pumped his right arm, then clapped his hands together upon realizing he had clinched a medal. Despatie broke his foot in April and the injury cost him valuable training time.

He's teammate Qin Kai earned the bronze with 530.10.

A raucous, flag-waving crowd roared each time He's scores were posted. They loudly sang China's national anthem in unison after the gold medal was placed around his neck.

He saved his most difficult dive for last and it earned the night's highest score. His forward 2½ somersault with three twists totaled 100.70 points, including two 9.0s.

He earned perfect 10s on four of his six dives, repeatedly spinning flawlessly and hitting the water with barely a splash. His opening dive, a forward 3½ somersault from the pike position, received four 10s among the seven judges.

Dmitry Sautin of Russia, the oldest finalist at 34, missed out on a third consecutive bronze, finishing fourth with 512.65. He earned a silver in synchronized springboard at these games, and has eight career medals.