Wellington diver Anton Down-Jenkins qualified for the semi-finals in the Olympic men’s 3m springboard today.
The 21-year-old American-based diver qualified in 16th place, with the top 18 advancing to tomorrow.
Down-Jenkins was consistent, using a relatively low-risk routine. His scores were 67.50, 60.00, 55.50, 69.75, 72.00, 69.70 for a total of 394.45. His best dive was his fifth, a forward 2½ somersaults with a twist, which produced a score of 72 points.
Chinese divers were the top two qualifiers, Zongyuan Wang leading the way with a total of 531.30.
Down-Jenkins finished 10th at this year’s World Cup event in Tokyo.
The New Zealander was delighted and relieved to make the semi-finals. “I feel like the hard work has been done. First qualifying for the Olympics is incredibly difficult in diving, and then getting through to the semi-finals,” he said. “That was the goal. That job is done.
“Now I can be more relaxed, have fun, trust my body more and hopefully I can showcase a little bit more of how I can dive.”
He said diving today was the most nerve-racking thing he’d done in his life.
“I thought I was pretty cool and calm, but when I got on the board the nerves set in. My legs felt like jelly, and I have only vague recollections of parts of the contest today. It’s hard to feel really at home out there at an Olympics, diving against some of the greatest divers in the world, so I’m really pleased I came through.”