DIVE ON IN DOMONIC
IF Domonic Bedggood needed any more motivation to snare a place in a home Commonwealth Games, he has found it in the family and friends who have committed financially to his success.
Diving Australia will hold its Games trials at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre over the next four days, where Bedggood will vie for a place in up to four events.
Team Bedggood has already made its commitment to his selection, buying tickets to the Games to ensure they are in the crowd next April.
For many, that would create undue pressure.
But Bedggood is a glass half-full man and regards the gesture as great support rather than undue pressure.
“I don’t try and look too far forward, I look at the task at hand,” Bedggood said of qualifying in the coming days.
“But buying tickets, I think that’s what every family does, especially with the system where you can’t wait until you’ve made the team.
“If anything, it’s motivation that my family and friends believe in me enough that I should be there, so I should have the same belief in myself.
“That’s always comforting to have that support.”
The 23-year-old is already a Commonwealth Games gold medallist after teaming up with Matthew Mitcham to win the 10m synchronised event in Edinburgh in 2014. And he has been bullish about his chances next April, where he wants to compete for medals in the 3m springboard and 10m platform individual and synchronised events.
“A lot of people hide behind their full potential, they don’t really believe they can do that,” Bedggood said.
“I’m trying to just be more confident and let my hard work in training speak for itself. That was reflected at the grand prix, coming away with second (in the 10m platform) and hopefully we can progress and get even better next week. I don’t think too far ahead, I just think of the task in front of me and I know what I have to do. If I do the right things I know that the outcome will be there.”
Athletes including world champion Maddison Keeney, Olympic medallist Anabelle Smith and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Esther Qin will be in action from today until Sunday.
Australia’s most experienced diver, Melissa Wu, has withdrawn from the trials due to injury but remains a chance to be nominated for her fourth Commonwealth Games.
IF ANYTHING, IT’S MOTIVATION THAT MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS BELIEVE IN ME ENOUGH THAT I SHOULD BE THERE.