KEENEY SHOWS ONCE AGAIN HER OUTSTANDING TALENT

Perth teenager Maddison Keeney has once again underlined her diving potential with a strong win in the women’s 3-metre springboard at the Australian World Cup selection event in Melbourne.

Keeney’s outstanding talent has at times suffered through breaks in concentration, but she was at her best in defeating Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Esther Qin, on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old finished with a score of 357.80, ahead of Qin on 350.10 and London Olympian, Anabelle Smith, on 333.85.

Keeney has made her reputation by attempting difficult dives few other divers in the world will try, which can attract big scores.

But the high risk strategy can also come undone. Keeney has baulked on occasions, which attracts an automatic points deduction.

Keeney and Qin have already qualified two positions for Australia in the 3-metre springboard at next year’s Olympics, after both made this year’s World Championship final.

James Connor continued his outstanding form at the Melbourne event with a big win in the men’s 3-metre springboard.

US-based Connor, who also qualified a spot for Australia in this event at next year’s Olympics, finished with 471.10 points, ahead of NSW’s Kevin Chavez on 447.65, and Commonwealth Games medalist Grant Nel on 445.50.

Connor also won the men’s platform final, and teamed with Nel to win the men’s springboard synchro title.

In the final event of the competition, Beijing gold medalist Matthew Mitcham and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Esther Qin teamed up to win the 3-metre mixed-synchro title, a non-Olympic event.