Milly Puckeridge not only wowed the judges at the American and Canadian Cups as she won a swag of medals, but she earned the wholehearted praise of her New South Wales Institute of Sport Diving program coaches, Chava Sobrino and Joel Rodriguez.

And rather than celebrating her success – she won two gold, a silver and bronze – when she returned home from the tournament which consisted of competitors from the USA, Canada, Egypt, Japan and Korea., the 20-year-old lived up to her reputation as one of her sport’s most committed athletes by training the day after she touched down in Sydney.

“It was great to see that every time Milly competed, she finished on the podium,” said Sobrino, who has attended 10 Olympic Games as a coach. “It’s exciting because these were good competitions, and they ought to propel her to even greater things.

“Her effort in the team events – where she had to compete alongside a male diver – proved how versatile she is, and this trip also showed everyone how strong Milly is because four events in two weeks is a lot, especially when you consider the amount of travel.”

While Puckeridge fulfilled her goal to qualify for next month’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore – she’ll partner fellow NSWIS athlete Ellie Cole (the pair are photographed diving together below) in the 10m synchro – Sobrino said she almost managed to secure an individual berth.

“I was disappointed for Milly that she missed out from qualifying to compete as an individual diver by just four points, that was tough,” he said. “But I’m thrilled she and Ellie Cole will be in Singapore.”

The 20-year-old has been working hard to master one of the most difficult dives a female can attempt – the reverse three-and-a-half somersault off the 10m platform – and was praised by Sobrino and Rodriguez for the commitment, courage . . . the ceaseless grind . . . that she displays day in, day out to perfect it.

“She is tough, so extremely tough,” said Sobrino. “It says so much for Milly that she headed to training the day after coming home.”

Rodriguez, a two-time Olympian, said he was impressed by the ‘consistency’ Puckeridge displayed in North America.

“The consistency in Milly’s diving is improving big time,” he said. “And performing in these competitions would have given her self-confidence and I have no doubt that will lead to even better performances in the future.”

Daniel Lane, NSWIS

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