Diving Australia squad member Alysha Koloi draws inspiration from world champion

Cavendish Road State High School student Alysha Koloi does not have to look far for inspiration. She sees it across the pool deck in the shape of Maddison Keeney when she trains with the elite Diving Australia squad at the Chandler Acquatic Centre.

Cavendish Road State High School student Alysha Koloi does not have to look far for inspiration.

She sees it across the pool deck in the shape of Maddison Keeney when she trains with the elite Diving Australia squad at the Chandler Acquatic Centre.

Keeney is a 1m world champion and last year claimed silver in the 3m springboard at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

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“It is so inspiring,’’ the Wakeley resident said.

“Maddison Keeney is one of the best in the world. Being able to watch her train and how she does things is really inspiring.

“You think, okay, this is my goal and I want to try and be like her.

“You see if they can do it, you are training with them and if you train really hard, then maybe you can do it as well.’’

Alysha Koloi in full dive off the board.

Koloi, who went to primary school at Belmont State School, was an elite gymnastic who represented Australia at level 10 before switching to diving.

She was resting from a gymnastics injury when she was lured into the sport while watching her youngster sister dive.

Read about how Maddison Keeney had to fall before she could walk

“I thought it looked like so much fun,’’ Koloi said.

“So I had a trial session with one of the clubs and I loved it.

“It was different, a bit slow moving at first but I started getting into it.

“I liked being able to do the tricks off the board and being able to conquer your fears and achieve new dives. It is so muchfun.

She said having a gymnastics background helped her transition into diving.

“It helps you with ariel awareness, you know where you are in the air.

“It helps you spin fast and you already have that foundation for learning dives

Last year she was encouraged by winning a bronze medal at the world junior championships “That was pretty exciting,’’ said Koloi, who aims to represent Australia at the Olympic Games.