DIVING: Australia has two women set to compete on the 10m diving platform on Day 12 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Four-time Olympian Melissa Wu will be joined by Olympic debutant Nikita Hains on the platform, with both athletes competing for Australia’s first Olympic medal in the women’s 10m platform event since London 2012.
Melissa Wu will certainly be one to watch in the event that has seen sustained success for Australian divers. Wu competed at her first Olympic Games in 2008 as a 16-year-old, where she claimed silver in the 10m synchronised diving alongside partner Bree Cole.
She has consistently been a serious contender in the women’s 10m platform Olympic final, finishing sixth in 2008, fourth in London 2012 and fifth in Rio 2016. The 2018 Commonwealth Games champion will be looking to claim her second Olympic medal in Tokyo, diving 10th in the preliminary round.
Olympic debutant Nikita Hains has competed at seven FINA Grand Prix events in her career so far and achieved a podium performance at six of the events she contested. Most recently, Hains claimed bronze in Madrid in early 2020 after posting her highest individual score on the platform. The 20-year-old will make her Olympic debut diving seventh in the field of 30 during the preliminary round.
The Australian divers will face tough competition from China, who have claimed the gold medal at the past three Olympic Games. Most notably, 2019 World Champion Chen Yuxi (CHN) will be amongst the women’s toughest competitors.
The women’s 10m platform preliminary will begin at 4:00pm (AEST) on Wednesday August 4. Both the semi-final and final rounds will be held on Thursday August 5 at 11:00am (AEST) and 4:00pm (AEST) respectively. The top 18 divers from the preliminary will progress to the semi-final, with 12 moving through to the final medal round.
Taylah O’Neill
#HaveAGo at Diving
Diving
WHERE CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Diving Australia and State Diving Associations have clubs all across the country. From small towns to major cities there may be a dive pool near you.
WHAT DO I NEED?
All you need is a swimsuit, be comfortable swimming in deep water and be prepared to give something new a go.
WHAT IF I’M AFRAID OF HEIGHTS?
Give it a go, we will help you every step of the way. Some of our greatest Olympians were nervous before they took the plunge.
