NEL CONFIDENT INJURY GAMBLE WILL PAY OFF

There was a moment earlier this year when Australian diver Grant Nel thought his diving career was over.

The choice seemed pretty clear; doctors told him if he continued to dive, he might never walk again.

It was a devastating moment for the Victorian 27-year-old, just over 12 months out from possibly his last chance of competing at his first Olympics.

He knew the doctors were probably right, judging by the pain he was feeling in his back every time he dived.

But athletes don’t give up on their dreams easily, and Nel decided to roll the dice.

He’s diving at the Australian World Cup selection trials, starting in Melbourne on Sunday, so it seems the numbers stacked up for the 3-time Commonwealth Games medalist.

“I would say I’m very close to 100 per cent,” Nel said.

“I have been cleared by all the doctors and the physios, who were all really amazed about it because it was a pretty severe injury.”

Nel will be re-united with US-based Victorian, James Connor, in the 3-metre synchro.

They are hoping to gain selection to compete at next year’s World Cup in Rio, where spots at the 2016 Olympics will be up for grabs.

They dived together at this year’s World Championships, finishing 12th in the final, missing their first chance of Olympic qualification.

“We didn’t get the best result for us at the World’s, but we were still working on things,” Nel said.

“I think we’ll have a great week next week. We’ve done a bit of training together, but our technique is very similar because we’ve come from the same club growing up.”

Nel will also compete in the individual 3-metre next week, ahead of the Oceania Championships the following weekend, where another Olympic qualifying spot will be up for grabs.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t still have that burn,” Nel said.

“Diving is still a very big passion in my life, and representing Australia at an Olympics is still a very big dream for me.

“I’m really looking forward to this year. I think we’re going to have a great year.”

The World Cup selection trials, which double as the first Australian Diving Grand Prix event, will be held at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre, starting Sunday and running though until Tuesday.