Domonic Bedggood and Cassiel Rousseau have affirmed their status as ones to watch in the Men’s 10-Metre Synchronised, after they finished fifth at the World Aquatics Championships 2023.

In an exciting final that was ultimately won by China, Bedggood and Rousseau were ranked fourth with one dive remaining. The Aussies put themselves in the mix for a medal with a superb penultimate dive – a Forward 4 ½ Somersault Tuck – that was awarded 91.02 points.

At the end of the fifth round, Bedggood and Rousseau trailed China, Ukraine and Mexico and were 19 points off a medal position. The Aussies ultimately finished in fifth, exchanging positions with Great Britain who moved into fourth after their final dive, also a Forward 4 ½ Somersault Tuck, received an identical 91.02 points.  

A top-three result would have secured Australia its first quota position to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Instead, the pair will focus on next year’s World Championships in Doha where further quota positions are on the line.

Earlier in the day, Georgia Sheehan and Brittany O’Brien returned to Fukuoka’s Prefectural Pool, coming together to compete in the Women’s 3-Metre Synchronised.

Competing in the Final, the women finished in sixth position with a total score of 279.60.

Speaking after the preliminaries, O’Brien was encouraged by the performance and admitted the pair had more to give.  

“(We) started fairly solid, the last two dives I think we have a little bit of room to improve,” O’Brien said.

Sheehan was looking forward to getting another chance to show their competition what they could do.

“We’re really happy with our score considering in our minds we kind of missed three dives and we know we can improve on those. We’re excited to get back out there,” Sheehan said.  

Competition continues Tuesday with the Women’s 10-Metre Individual Platform and the Mixed 3-Metre and 10-Metre Team event will be decided. Watch all finals on 9Now.

Full results are available on the World Aquatics website