AUSTRALIA PICK UP TWO MORE TICKETS FOR RIO 2016

Perth teenager Maddison Keeney has fought back from the disappointment of her missed dive earlier this week to qualify alongside teammate Esther Qin for the final of the 3-metre springboard at the FINA World Aquatic Championships in Kazan.

By making the final Australia has qualified two places for the springboard at next year’s Olympic Games.

Qin, the Commonwealth Games gold medalist, was outstanding all night, finishing the semi-final in fourth position and signaling herself as a strong medal prospect in Saturday night’s final.

Keeney made a slow start, but then finished strongly, to qualify seventh for the final.

It was an impressive performance from Keeney, who two days ago made international headlines with a missed dive in the 1-metre springboard.

Qin is chasing her second medal in Kazan, after winning bronze alongside Samantha Mills in the 3-metre synchro.

Also on Friday James Connor finished 11th in the final of the men’s 3-metre springboard.

Connor made a slow start to the final, and although he had a strong mid-section, was unable to make up much ground on the field.

The Victorian still has the men’s platform and the mixed springboard synchro to complete the Championships.