Outside chance for Rio divers
A TOUGH battle with China’s Han Wang has Australian Olympic hopeful Esther Qin confident of a podium finish in the finals of the FINA Diving Grand Prix tomorrow.
Wang (350.15) and Qin (342.35) led consistently throughout the women’s 3m springboard B semi-final yesterday, qualifying first and second with both repeatedly delivering high scores throughout the afternoon at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.
Qin’s Australian teammate Maddison Keeney was trailing American Laura Ryan before posting 79 points for her fourth dive to push her to third to qualify for tomorrow’s six-woman final.
Glasgow Games gold medallist Qin said she was happy with her consistency on the 3m springboard in her first Gold Coast competition.
But the 23-year-old admitted she was still getting used to competing outdoors.
“My dives were pretty consistent this afternoon and I’m very happy,” she said.
“I haven’t done any competition on the Gold Coast, that’s the first time. The pool and the environment is very good but I’m scared diving in outdoor pools. I’m really struggling with the wind”
Qin said she already had her heart set on representing Australia at the Rio Olympics and thought competing on the Gold Coast would be good preparation for 2016.
“This one is very good practice for the (2018 Gold Coast) Commonwealth Games and for Rio as well – it’s an outdoor pool.”
Maddison Keeney said although she was happy with qualifying for the final she believed she was capable of delivering more.
The 19-year-old prodigy hinted she may have been let down by her individual preparation for the event but said she was in a strong position for December world cup qualifications after a good showing on the Gold Coast.
“I came into this not really prepared,” she said.
“I was told I was only doing synchro at this competition and one of the girls pulled out so I found out two days ago that I was also doing this event.
“I’m not quite mentally prepared so I’m really happy with this result.
“I can do better in training as well so I’m looking forward to it.
“My next big goal is to get on the world cup team which will be optimum preparation for Rio because it’s once again, against some of the top athletes in the world.
“(After) competing here against the other Australian girls … I feel more confident going into the world cup qualification.”
London Olympian Anabelle Smith and world junior champion Georgia Sheehan withdrew with injury after the 3m preliminary round.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Nicholas Jeffree and Kurtis Mathews qualified in fourth and fifth for tomorrow’s 10m platform final behind China’s Xiaohu Tai.
Matthew Mitcham (3m springboard) and captain Melissa Wu (10m platform) feature today. Entry y iss free. ee.