The 2021 Australian Open Championships incorporating Nomination Trials wrapped up in Sydney last Friday following four days of world class diving.

Six new Australian Open Champions were crowned at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre during the event which once again saw a handful of athletes allowed to compete virtually through video submission.

The competition also served as the nomination event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which will be begin at the end of July and run through the start of August.

Divers selected to the 2020 Australian Olympic Team will be announced on Tuesday June 15 at Sydney’s Circular Quay.

Women’s 1 Metre

After a strong showing across two rounds of competition, Victorian Sophie Johnson (435.45) come out on top as the new Australian Open Champion. Johnson, who dived via video submission from Melbourne showed consistency across her two lists to narrowly finish ahead of Natalie Phan (427.90) of Victoria and Mackenzie Bowell (411.40) of Queensland in second and third respectively.

Rounding out the top six were New South Welshman Zara Tullipan (387.90) and Victorians Olivia Roche (354.80) and Charli Petrov (351.20).

Men’s 1 Metre

After a second place preliminary finish, Vladimir Rudenko (609.80) of New South Wales improved on his performance to come out on top of the Men’s 1 Meter competition ahead of Queenslander Lachlan Cronin (602.85). Cronin’s teammate Liam Davis (594.75) completed the podium with his bronze medal finish.

Victorian Stephen Lingard (505.75), New South Welshman Corey Lane (500.40) and South Australian Sam Will (493.10) finished fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively.

Women’s 3 Metre

The much anticipated Women’s 3 Metre event saw three titans of world springboard diving battle it out to claim the Australian Open Champion title. This time around Esther Qin (982.15) of New South Wales came out as the victor after what was not only a consistent showing, but a display of composure and grace. Less than four points behind her Victorian Anabelle Smith (978.60) clinched the silver medal from a final’s performance which saw not a single dive drop below the 60 point mark.

World Champion Maddison Keeney (954.35) of Western Australia had to settle for third place after faltering on her second round preliminary dive, a reverse two and a half pike. That slight mistake was too much to overcome in a competition which saw Smith and Qin exhibit textbook steadfastness.

Alysha Koloi (880.00) of Queensland, Macie Wheeler (783.80) of South Australia, and Kate Rosman (674.05) of South Australia completed the top six.

Men’s 3 Metre

In what became a sheer display of dominance, Shixin Li (1383.65) toped two time Olympian and fellow Victorian James Connor (1316.55) to become the Men’s 3 Metre Australian Open Champion. Li extended his lead through the final round of competition in part due to a spectacular third round reverse-three and a half tuck which saw him receive no less than an eight from the judging panel.

Connor’s impressive sixth round rebuttal of the same dive secured him the silver medal. Up and coming South Australian Matthew Carter (1243.10) took out the bronze with Kurtis Mathews (1119.20) of New South Wales finishing first off the podium.

Queenslander Lachlan Cronin (1075.20) and South Australian Brodie Scapens (1068.85) completed the top six.

Women’s Platform

Three time Olympian Melissa Wu (1122.30) put on a show through all three rounds the Women’s Platform event. Highlighted by a third round reverse two and a half in the finals which saw her draw two tens from the judges, Wu’s performance secured her position yet again as the top female athletes on the platform.

Western Australia’s Nikita Hains (910.00) secured the silver after a steady preliminary, semi-final, and final with Lauren Flint (876.80) finding her position on the podium in third.

To round out the top six places were, Queenslander Emily Meaney (865.80), Victorian Emily Chinnock (826.40) and Queenslander Emily Boyd (814.55).

Men’s Platform

In an event which saw only three competitors partake, Queenslander Cassiel Rousseau (1395.05) in his usual relaxed demeanour showed a display of form for the crowed at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Having only been involved with the sport for four years since transitioning from acrobatics, Rousseau continues to prove why he is one to watch well into the future.

Sam Fricker (1198.65) from New South Wales in his home pool stayed steady to secure the silver medal ahead of South Australian Jaxon Bowshire (936.65).

Full results are available at diverecorder.co.uk