Queensland diver wins gold at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships
A Brisbane 2032 prospect is already winning medals on the world stage, thanks to a golden performance at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships. See how all the Aussies went, here.
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She has eyes toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, but Queensland schoolgirl Maggie Grey is already making a splash after winning a gold medal at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships last night in Brazil.
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Grey, 14, finished atop the podium after a dazzling performance in the 10m platform event.
It was a stunning effort by the Queensland Academy of Sport athlete from Faith Lutheran College, Redlands, who took on the best in the world – and won.
Grey generated 375.75 points – well ahead of the second placed Mexican (343.00).
It was one of two medals earned by Grey. Earlier in the championship she joined with Victorians Jonah Mercieca, Benjamin Wilson and Lucy Dovison to claim a silver medal in the mixed 3m and 10m team (14-18 years).
Grey’s individual success also followed a silver medal winning performance by Ellie Cole of Sydney and Moree’s Ruby Drogemuller in the 10m synchronised (14-18 years).
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Cole was also in contention for a medal in the 16-18 years 10m platform, but ultimately finished fifth, frustratingly within touching distance of third place.
But it was Thornlands resident Grey who took top prize.
Grey has only been diving four years, but with elite QAS coaching (Xiangning Chen and Arlow Vyninka) at the Sleeman Sports Complex, and support and mentorship through the Aussie Athlete Fund’s $1 Million Challenge, she has made a huge impression in the sport.
Grey started her green and gold journey as a gymnast when she was eight, but transitioned to diving a couple of years later.
A rookie who trains six days a week, Grey said her “big dream’’ was to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games, and then the Brisbane 2032.
“I’ve always wanted to go to a Games and thought diving would be the best pathway for me. I honestly just love the adrenaline,” she said.
Her mother Tiffany said her daughter owed so much to the coaching network around her, and also the Aussie Athlete Fund.
“Thanks to the fundraising we managed through AAF, I got to go to Brazil with Maggie and was watching poolside,’’ Tiffany said.
“I get extremely nervous when she’s up on the platform, and sometimes find myself holding my breath or closing my eyes.”
Launched by five-time Olympian Natalie Cook, the AAF Challenge pairs 100 emerging athletes with 100 businesses with the aim of raising $10,000 per athlete.
As a result of the program, Grey raised $11,000 to help with training and competition
costs – and has also set up her own business Betty’s Berries – selling chocolate covered
strawberries at markets across southeast Queensland. In addition, she’s now sponsored by
Aussie company Kozii, which supplies all her swimwear.
“Maggie’s very entrepreneurial and headstrong and has dreamt of going to the Olympics since the age of eight,” mum Tiffany said.
“Maggie is a fantastic example of a young athlete who embodies the determination and
resilience needed to reach the highest levels of sport.
“She’s not only incredibly talented but also has the entrepreneurial spirit to fund her own dreams, and we’re thrilled to support her through the AAF. She’s already an inspiration to so
many young athletes.”
Grey added: “The Aussie Athlete Fund really helped drive me with the fundraising and I’ve learned a lot about sponsorship,” she said.’’
Five-time Olympian Cook, a Queenslander who famously won a beach volleyball gold medal alongside Kerri Pottharst on Bondi Beach, was inspired to start the Aussie Athlete Fund after generating a $300,000 debt trying to fulfil her dreams of representing Australia.
Aside from Australia’s medal winning success at the world juniors, there were other finalists.
Dovison, mentioned earlier for her silver medal winning team performance, also gained valuable individual event international finals’ experience when she finished 11th in the 16-18 years 3m springboard.
Dovison was also a finalist alongside of Adelaide’s Alexandria Sando in the 3m synchronised where they finished sixth.
Cleveland District SHS’s Archie Forsyth, who is coached by Arlow Vyninka at Chandler, made the 14-15 years 10m platform final, finishing 11th. Cleveland is also the old school of champion diver Cassiel Rousseau.
Bowshire and Merceica, mentioned earlier for their silver medal team performance, had a huge championship with multi finals’ appearances.
Bowshire and Merceica performed strongly fifth in the 10m synchronised (boys 14-18 years), just three points from a coveted bronze medal.
They also finished eight and ninth respectively in the 10m 16-18 years platform, invaluable experience for them both.
And the boys also performed well to finish fifth in the 10m synchronised (boys 14-18 years), just three points from a coveted bronze medal.
Deanna Drake of Sydney just missed a medal when she finished fourth in the 14-15 years 3m final and eight in the 1m final, while both Benjamin Wilson and Sydney’s Lachlan Abbott (14-18 years 3m synchronised) scrambled fourth position in their event.
Other members of the Australian 15 member team were Mt St Michael’s student Emily Francis, Hannah Smith (Sydney), Jasmine Wallcroft (Western Australia) and Keira Wang (Victoria)
Visit www.aussieathletefund.com for more on the AAF funding.
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