Mexico diving coach Ma Jin is flanked by 3m springboard winner Rommel Pacheco (left) and 10m platform winner Paola Espinosa at the Pan-American Games in Toronto last year. [Photo/Xinhua]

Mexican world champion diver Paola Espinosa leapt off the 10m platform during a practice session in Rio.

As she did so, a 40-something woman with black curly hair stood out from the Mexican's coaching crew, focusing hard on Espinosa's multi-twist routine.

She kept her eyes glued to the diver's descending curve, clapping hard and chanting "bravo" every time Espinosa knifed into the water with minimal splash.

Meet Ma Jin, head coach of the Mexican national diving team, who has been a notable figure in the country's sports history.

Since settling in Mexico as part of China's coaching assistance program in 2003, Ma, who hails from Beijing, has put her heart and soul into nursing local talent.

She has assembled a group of elite athletes, including Espinosa, winner of the 10m platform at the 2009 world championships.

Coaching in Rio at her third Olympics as a mentor for Mexico, Ma said the strong sense of belonging to the Latin American country and the responsibility she has for her divers keeps her going, despite sometimes feeling homesick.

"I feel a strong sense of accomplishment when I see my work pay off in their training, helping them to win medals one after another for Mexico," said Ma, 46, who married a Mexican before bringing her son from Beijing to join her in 2009.

Under Ma's guidance, Espinosa improved her consistency and mental strength to claim two Olympic medals (a silver and a bronze in the 10m synchronized in 2008 and 2012), and has become the darling of the media and sponsors in Mexico.

Competing in her fourth Games, Espinosa, 30, attributes her performances in the women's 10m platform to Ma.

"She has brought us the experience and training expertise that we never had before. She is like a mother to me and always encourages me," said Espinosa, who will compete in the 10m preliminary on Wednesday.

Another Ma protege, Rommel Pacheco, who is Espinosa's husband, is in the men's 3m springboard final on Monday.

As a coach born in China leading a foreign contingent against her home country, Ma said she has managed to strike an emotional balance between dedication to her own athletes and admiration for the dominant Chinese.

"I'm happy about China's perennial domination of the sport," she said. "I hope my work can continue to help promote the sport in Mexico and to inspire more participation in diving there."

Living with her husband and son in Mexico City, she now runs a government-funded diving training club, with more than 30 members.

In November 2012, the Mexican government awarded Ma the Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest decoration given to foreigners in Mexico, in recognition of her efforts.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn