4 NSWIS athletes picked to dive into Rio

Congratulations to the four NSWIS athletes Brittany Broben, Kevin Chavez, Esther Qin and Melissa Wu on all being selected in the diving section of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team.

In total, five rookies, three Olympians off to their second Games and one Olympian off to their third Games make-up the five female and four male divers to wear the green and gold in Brazil.

At 24, Melissa Wu is considered a veteran and the Beijing 2008 silver medallist is off to her third Games and eager to return to Rio for the Olympics. 

“It’s pretty exciting, I’ve worked hard all year. We had a great Test Event in Rio last February. It was a really good atmosphere and the event went really smoothly,” Wu said.

The Sydney based athlete is in career best form and focussed on performing to her best, after she finished fourth four years ago in London.

“The more you dive the more you learn from experience. I’m more knowledgeable than four years ago. I haven’t put too much focus on medals. I just want to dive my best.”

London Olympic silver medallist Brittany Broben will join Wu in the 10m platform where she will be looking to replicate her success from four years ago where she scored the country’s sole diving medal at the Games. The then 16-year-old was the youngest athlete on the Australian Team and nailed her final dive, a Back 2 1/2 Somersault 1 1/2 Twists Pike, to score 81.60 and win a well-deserved silver medal.

In the other women’s spots Maddison Keeney will strive for glory in the 3m springboard as well as the 3m springboard synchronised alongside London Olympian Anabelle Smith. Joining Keeney in the 3m individual will be exciting Olympic debutant, and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Esther Qin.

Three debutants and one London 2012 Olympian feature in the men’s events for Australia. London Olympian James Connor and rookie Domonic Bedggood have been selected in the 10m platform, while Kevin Chavez and Grant Nel will compete in the 3m springboard.

21-year-old debutant Bedggood has leant on some famous names for advice before he walks into the Athletes’ Village.

“One person who I have asked a lot of advice from over the last couple of years has been Mathew Helm (Olympic silver medallist). Mat is a high level coach and I was lucky enough to have him coach in Brisbane so he was always around to ask questions of.

“I’ve also spoken to Melissa Wu, James Connor and of course Matthew Mitcham as they have been diving for a lot longer than me and as I really respect their views.”

The selection of the nine divers, brings the Australian Olympic Team to 200 athletes, with the full team of more than 400 athletes expected to be finalised by mid-July.