Yona books ticket to Paris Olympics
DESPITE FINISHING 14th in the semi-finals of the three-metre springboard dive at the World Aquatics Championship in Doha, Qatar, yesterday and failing to make the final, Jamaican diver Yona Knight-Wisdom secured his third straight qualification to the Olympic Games.
Knight-Wisdom, who ended with a score of 368.95, 149.05 points behind top semi-final performer Siyi Xie of China, who took the silver in the final with a score of 515.10, said it was a bittersweet moment for him.
Although he missed out on the final, which would secure an automatic quota spot at the Olympics, he was allocated one of the additional quota places still available.
‘It would’ve been nice to have had immediate confirmation by making it into the final, but I’m fine with that. It feels exciting to have room to progress and develop with five months to go until the Games.’
The British-based athlete, who is still returning to his best after only recently returning from a long layoff due to a knee surgery, is excited to represent Jamaica at a third consecutive Olympics.
“I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed. It’s more bittersweet as I missed out on the final by only four points due to a mistake on a dive.
“But I came to Doha with one goal in mind, to get myself into a position to earn a quota spot for the Olympics, and by finishing 14th, I have certainly done that.
“It would’ve been nice to have had immediate confirmation by making it into the final, but I’m fine with that. It feels exciting to have room to progress and develop with five months to go until the Games,” he said.
He added that overcoming the semi-finals at the Olympics and making his first final at the games is his main objective from here on.
“My goal at the Olympics will be to make the final. Once I’m in a final then anything can happen, but I have to get in there first.
“Twice before, in Rio (de Janeiro) and Tokyo, I fell short in the semifinals, so I want to overcome that barrier this time round,” he said.
“Doha has been another stepping stone on my return to peak performance, and I believe by summer I can get back to my 2022 level.
“I just have to keep trusting my coach, my processes, and work hard to give myself the opportunity to achieve my Olympic goal.”
Meanwhile, Xie’s countryman, Zongyuan Wan,g scored 538.70 points to take the gold medal in the event, and Oscar Ibarra of Mexico took the bronze with a score of 498.40.