Lachlan Grey

For a sport like diving, the Olympic Games presents a rare opportunity to showcase its virtues to a mass, global audience. It was during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens that the aspirations of one six-year-old boy began to take formation.

Fast-forward 12 years, and the now 18-year-old Melbournian and Olympic hopeful Joshua Kehagias still vividly recalls the moment he first took notice of the sport of diving. It was the same moment that saw other past times in football and taekwondo take a back-seat to bigger dreams.

“I clearly remember watching the diving at Athens (in 2004) and thinking it was the greatest thing ever. I turned to Mum straight away and said ‘Mum, I want to try this.’”

In this instance, the term 'try' is understated. The Joshua Kehagias of 2016 is a far cry from 2004 and, following his 3m springboard silver medal effort at the 2015 Gold Coast Diving Grand Prix, Kehagias shapes as a contender at the upcoming Olympic Trials in Ringwood. Of course, you’d never hear it from him.

“Sure, going to Rio would be wonderful and I’m gunning for it, but I’d consider it a bonus. Obviously, Gold Coast in 2015 was my best competition and I had a great time, but I’m not really expecting Olympic qualification this year.”

A product of Melbourne Elite Diving Academy and now with the VIS, Kehagias is working hard to be in career-best form for the Olympic Trials. It’s no picnic; between his additional dry land training, cardiovascular fitness and weekly ballet classes (“the worst training of all”), Kehagias still averages between 50-100 dives every day off the 3m springboard.

“It’s a tough routine but I really enjoy it. Transitioning out of my training routine at school has been difficult, and I’m still adjusting to the real world.”

“My school (Wesley College) gave me plenty of leniency with schoolwork and assessment but now that I’m out, I’m keen to pursue something else.”

“I’d love to join the Police Force once I’ve retired from diving. Most blokes retire pretty early and I’d be keen to do the same. I guess I’m a realist - diving is my passion but I can’t do it forever.”

Knowing his time as an elite athlete will inevitably come to an end at some point, Kehagias has planned his diving career with an almost clinical efficiency.

“Tokyo (in 2020) is the big goal. Obviously going to Rio would be great, but I’ve also got the World Championships in December, the Commonwealth Games in 2018 (Gold Coast) and a whole bunch of other Grand Prix’s to build towards. I reckon once I’ve achieved Olympic qualification then I’ll be happy to call it quits. Or maybe not. We’ll see.”

Kehagias is competing at the 2016 Australian Open Diving Championships incorporating the Rio Nomination Trials at Aquanation in Ringwood from 26 - 29 May, 2016.