Australian diver Cassiel Rousseau has today been announced as World Aquatics Diving Athlete of the Year for 2023. 

23-year-old Rousseau was awarded the honour in Doha,Qatar before the Women’s 3-Metre Springboard Semi-Final at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships. 

The achievement comes as recognition for his historic performance in 2023 in Fukuoka,Japan where he became the first Australian to be crowned the Men’s 10-Metre Platform World Champion.

Rousseau said he was surprised to be the recipient of the award. 

“I’m really honoured to have received this award, especially since it was a community driven one, and once again unexpected,” said Rousseau. 

“I want to say thank you to everyone that is supporting me, and I definitely could not have achieved what I have done alone.”

Diving Australia Chief Executive Officer Alex Newton said the award reflected Rousseau’s efforts over the past year. 

“We are absolutely thrilled that Cassiel has been selected as World Aquatics Diver of the Year, so richly deserved,” Newton said. 

“The fact that this award has been voted for by the diving community, including fans, shows what an impact Cass has had.  

“His achievements over the last year have been super impressive, not least winning the World Aquatics Championships Men’s 10M Platform in Fukuoka, and this is perfect recognition of that. 

“On behalf of all the Australian diving community we congratulate Cassiel on this very special achievement.”

Rousseau will now return home to Australia following his 2024 World Aquatics Championship campaign, in which he secured a Paris 2024 quota spot for Australia in the Men’s 10-Metre Platform Synchronised event with partner Domonic Bedggood.