DIVING: Australia’s Domonic Bedggood has qualified for the final of the men’s 10m platform after finishing 11th in this morning’s semi-final at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre with teammate James Connor unlucky to miss out, finishing in 15th, three places outside the necessary cut off.
“I am happy with my performance but it is a little bit of mixed emotions as so many good divers and friends didn’t make the final, but I have worked so hard for this over so many years,” said Bedggood.
“Coming into this competition, my coach and I had the goal to make the final and we have done that so I can now just relax and enjoy the experience and have fun in the final and I have nothing to lose now so I can just go out there and give it my best.”
The biggest surprise of the event was British champion Tom Daly finishing in last place, having finished first in the preliminary final yesterday with a personal best score.
“It is such an on-the-day sport, especially in an outdoor setting you just don’t know which way it is going to go,” said Bedggood.
“Even some of the Chinese missed their dives this morning and they are known as being robots so anything can happen in an Olympics and this semi-final is a perfect example.
Whilst disappointed to miss the final, reaching the semi-final and finishing in 15th place was a personal best for O’Connor at the Olympics.
“Yes I am happy that I progressed further than four years ago but disappointed to miss the Final,” said O’Connor.
“I guess it is one thing to be able to do the dives and another to be able to step up and do it consistently on the world stage.
“If I had of had a performance like I did last night, I would have been pretty close to making the Final which was obviously my goal but maybe somethings you maybe want it too much, it didn’t go my way today.
With only a matter of hours before the Olympic final, how will Bedggood spend the time?
“I will go and see my family, have a sleep here at the venue and then refocus”.
The men’s 10m platform final begins at 4pm local time.
Jo Banning
olympics.com.au
