SASI divers put in outstanding performances at the Australian Diving Championships, securing podium positions, selection for the 2022 FINA World Championships and a strong chance of making it on to the Australian Commonwealth Games team

Tokyo Olympian/SASI athlete Nikita Hains edged out the competition to win the Women’s Platform, finishing on 630.00 ahead of Emily Boyd (629.45) and Emily Meaney (628.50).

The 21-year-old’s gold medal performance saw her selected for her first World Championship and puts her in the box seat to be selected for the Australian Commonwealth Games team.

“I wanted to put in a steady performance and go out there and make myself proud… to come away with the win is just amazing,” Hains said.

“The women’s platform event is a really strong event… all the competitors are so strong, and it’s just good dive after good dive and you really get to feed off that energy.

“I must thank my coach Rick Schavone who has fully supported me on this incredible journey.”

Hain also went on to claim a silver medal in the Women’s Platform Synchro with Emily Boyd.

The day kicked off with strong performances from fellow Tokyo Olympian/SASI athlete Shixin Li.

He brought home gold medals in the 1 Metre (858.80), 3 Metre (900.05) and 3 Metre Synchro with Sam Fricker (755.1).

The 34-year-old was also announced in the Australian team for the World Championships and is excited by the prospect of representing his country in Birmingham.

“This would be my first time to go to the Commonwealth Games… I’ve travelled to a lot of places around the world for diving but I have never been to the UK,” Li said.

As the oldest diving squad member, Li said the talent coming through the diving ranks is really exciting and he enjoys sharing his experiences.

“We have some pretty new, young divers in Australia competing which is really good,” Li said.

“There are people who have now retired [internationally] so it will be a different World Championships this year.

“I do like to share my experiences with the team, try to help them learn,” he said.

Other podium performances came from SASI athlete Jaxon Bowshire who claimed the bronze medal in the Men’s Platform and a silver with Sam Fricker in the Men’s Platform Synchro.

Hains and Li will compete at the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary from Sunday 26 June at Duna Arena.