Diving Australia News

Two-time Olympian Melissa Wu has been named captain of the Australian Diving Team for the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia (July 24 to August 9).

It’s the first time a captain has been appointed to the Australian Diving Team, and Diving Australia CEO, David Bell, said Wu was a fitting choice in the inaugural role.

“Melissa has been an outstanding ambassador for our sport for a decade, from when she first represented Australia as a 13-year-old at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Not only has she proven herself over many years as an outstanding athlete, her leadership and commitment to diving has made her one of our most respected divers.”

23-year-old Wu’s career highlights have included a silver medal alongside Briony Bryant (nee Cole) in the 10-metre synchro at the Beijing Olympics, and a fourth in the individual platform at the London Olympics.

She also won gold alongside Alexandra Croak in the platform synchro and a silver in the individual platform at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, a silver in the platform synchro at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and has two World Championship silver medals.

“We have great confidence that Melissa will be an outstanding leader of our team in Kazan,” Bell said.

“Even though she’s still young herself, her incredible experience competing in the biggest events in the world will prove invaluable for our other divers.

“We wish Melissa and the Australian Diving Team the best of luck in Kazan, which is also the first opportunity to secure quota places for the Rio Olympics in 2016.”

Wu will compete in the individual platform and will team up with Lara Tarvit to contest the platform synchro in Kazan.

The full Australian team is:

WOMEN

• Melissa Wu (NSW)
• Lara Tarvit (QLD)
• Esther Qin (NSW)
• Maddison Keeney (WA)
• Samantha Mills (SA)

MEN

• Grant Nel (VIC)
• James Connor (VIC)
• Domonic Bedggood (QLD)

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