Olympic Bronze to WA Diver Maddison Keeney

Published On: 8 August 2016

Diving: 3m Synchro Final – Day 2

Athlete: Maddison Keeney (Bronze Medal – 299.19 for third)

Venue: Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre

   

Western Australian Maddison Keeney has won a bronze medal in the women’s 3m Synchro Final with Anabelle Smith on Day 2 of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

A clutch effort on their final dive – a forward 2 – summersault with a twist – scored 71.10 points to propel the Australians, who had sat last after two dives, to an Olympic bronze medal with a total score of 299.19.

The Australians had been considered outside medal chances heading into the direct final, but as the competition wore on, Keeney and Smith’s ability to keep a consistent execution of difficulty saw them leapfrog up the leader’s board, with the duo only ranking inside the top three, on the last dive when it mattered most.

When Smith over-rotated on a reverse dive in round two, Australia was ranked eighth, but strong dives for the pair in rounds three (inward 2 – summersault) and four (forward 3 – summersault) saw them set up a shot at bronze after Malaysia slipped from the position in round five.

The Aussies faced a nervous wait after their final dive to see if Canada or Germany would pip them to third, but with Canada only posting a 67.50 dive for fourth and Germany further back, their Olympic success was confirmed.

The result is especially sweet for Keeney, with the 20 year-old West Aussie becoming an internet sensation after scoring a zero on a dive at last year’s FINA World Championships. The only viral videos now, will see her standing on a medal podium, with the Olympic debutant still to compete in her pet event, the women’s individual 3m springboard later in the week.

Gold went to spectacular Chinese pairing of Shi Tingmao and Wu Minxia (345.60). The reigning Olympic and World Champions were in a class of their own, and justifiably took top step on the podium. Italy picked up a highly respectable silver, with Tania Cagnotto and Francesca Dallape finishing on 313.83 points for second.