WAIS diving athlete Maddison Keeney has staked her claim for Commonwealth Games selection after posting a dominant win at the 2014 Selection Trials in Melbourne, with a performance that would have won the 17 year-old a world title at last year’s Championships.
UPDATED: Maddison Keeney has completed her selection trial schedule with further wins in the women’s 3m springboard, with a score of 361.05 and finally in the 3m synchro, competing with Victoria’s Anabelle Smith, the pair scored 314.85 for victory.
Keeney was in a class of her own in the women’s 1m springboard, posting a score of 339.90 that will not only see her selected on the Australian Commonwealth Games team, but will also see her head into competition as a firm favourite for gold.
Combining a high level of difficulty with well executed technique, Keeney was well clear of second place Esther Qin, who posted 297.60. Last year’s World Championships in Barcelona saw China’s He Zi win gold with a score of 307.10, providing evidence of Keeney’s pedigree in her pet event.
Keeney will also contest the 3m springboard and 3m synchro events, with the possibility of further events being added to her Commonwealth Games schedule.
Post competition, Keeney told AAP reporters that she felt the 1m springboard final was the best she had ever competed.
“It’s taken me quite a while to get the hang of the dives I’m trying to do. When I first started, they obviously didn’t go as well as they do now,” she said. “But I felt great today, that’s the best I’ve ever dived.”
The Australian Diving Selection Trials continue through to April 10 in Melbourne.
