Hollywood couldn’t have written a better screenplay.
• Also read: Diving: A fully reconstructed ankle points to better times for an Olympian
In her first solo World Cup since suffering at the Tokyo Olympics, where she was knocked out of the final after scoring zero on her last jump in the semifinals, Pamela Ware shone in front of his sweetheart ones at his Montreal swimming pool today .
In second place, Ware held off America’s Sarah Bacon and China’s Yani Chang by landing her best jump on her final pass to confirm her silver medal in the 3-meter dash.
Crying in the arms of her trainers after her last dive, Ware also got a big smack from her synch partner Mia Vallée, who couldn’t hold back a tear.
“I’m happy and proud and the entire Canadian team is very, very proud,” said longtime coach Aaron Dziver, who now serves as director of the diving institute at the National Institute of Sport (INS). In her first international competition with the best since Tokyo, Pam had something to prove. She was calm and put on one of her best career performances. »
Not surprised
Dziver thinks it is important that Ware sends a message to the diving planet.
“I knew it and she knew she could do it, but she showed it to everyone today. Her opponents now know that she will be at the World Championships and Paris in 2024. It was super important to do well. To cheer ! She can do even better in the future. She has scored 365 points, but she could break the 380 mark in the future. »
Due to the presentation of the mixed event that evening, where she was in action in the 3m event with Bryden Hattie, Ware did not allow an interview after the 3m event.
Alongside Ware in Tokyo, Dziver agrees the months following the Games have been tough but he believed his former protégé could bounce back.
“Athletes experience positive and negative moments during competitions and learn to pick themselves up again. It gets harder and longer after the games and it has taken Pamela a good 12 months to feel comfortable. She changed her training schedule and took some rest. We see the results. »
Mia Vallée, bronze medalist in Friday’s 3-meter synchro with Ware, placed ninth in the solo.
“I’m disappointed because I didn’t want to show that,” she said. I wasn’t 100 percent mentally, but I will learn from this experience and come back stronger. »
First individual medal
After a disappointing performance in the 10m sync, Nathan Zsombor-Murray recovered well in the solo. The Pointe Claire jumper won bronze, his first individual medal of his career at a major international event.
Together with Rylan Wiens, he also won bronze at the World Championships in Budapest last summer. In Montreal in 2018, he had shown himself on the international stage by winning gold in the mixed event with Meaghan Benfeito during a controversial leg of the World Series in Montreal. Also in 2022 he won gold with Wiens in Calgary at a Fina Grand Prix.
Two jumps ahead of the Chinese gold medalist, Zsombor-Murray was second until his sixth and final jump.
Despite having done well in his last heat, last started Japanese rider Rikuto Tamai managed to take the silver medal by six points.
♦ Like Ware, Zsombor-Murray did not speak to the media to prepare for the mixed 10m with Caeli McKay. Mixed competitions are not Olympic disciplines.
A successful homecoming
Photo courtesy of Diving Canada, Antoine Saito
Sarah Jodoin Di Maria, who made her home dive at an international level for the first time, delighted her family and friends by finishing fourth in the 10m event at the Olympic Park swimming pool in Montreal this Sunday.
The return home gave Sarah Jodoin Di Maria wings, who had a career-best performance, falling just short of the podium in the 10m.
With limited opportunities for advancement within the Canadian team due to the presence of established divers, Jodoin Di Maria took advantage of her father’s dual citizenship to move to Rome in 2018.
“I’ve always wanted to compete in the Olympic Games and the chances were better if I moved to Italy,” explained the man who finished 14th at the Tokyo Games in July 2021. I’ve made a big step forward. It wasn’t easy at first because I was alone in Rome and didn’t speak the language, but I’ve gotten used to the different way of life and it’s going well. »
In Rome, the former gymnast could count on great support in all situations. Olympic champions at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul games, the Italian team’s head coach Domenico Rinaldi took care of Sarah as if she were his own daughter. “He treats me like a member of his family and that helps me a lot. Since my parents live in Montreal, I am part of his extended family. »
In a short time with the family
If she likes Italy, Jodoin Di Maria was very happy to perform in Montreal. “It was my first time jumping in the Olympic pool and I was really nervous this morning. It’s really special to dive in front of my family and friends. It means a lot to me because I had to go. »
His fourth place matches his result at the first World Cup of the season in China two weeks ago. His next goal is clear. “I want to qualify for the final [top 12] worlds this summer in Japan. »
The diver had been in Montreal for a week and was still unable to turn up at the family home. “I have one more week in Montreal and can spend time with my family. We have educational leave. »
The podium eludes McKay
After being in third place after the preliminary rounds, Caeli McKay slipped down to fifth place in the final. If she had told us to aim for the top five on Wednesday, the 23-year-old jumper would have happily climbed onto the podium, but she drew positive results from her performance after undergoing surgery on her left ankle in October .
“I missed a dive [le 4e], but I was constant for the others. I’ve made mistakes, but not crazy mistakes. Ever since my ankle surgery, I’ve underestimated my strength. I need to control it better and that bodes well for the world. I would have liked to win a medal but I’m happy. I can’t be mad. »
Tokyo Games gold and silver medalists China’s Hongchan Quan and Yuxi Chen, aged 17 and 16 respectively, looked imperial again in front of the crowds of Chinese fans who gathered in the stands of the Olympic Park Sports Center.
A long road to recovery
Melissa Citrini-Beaulieu, diver
Mélissa Citrini-Beaulieu, a silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics with Jennifer Abel in the 3m synchronized skating, has been plagued by injuries since returning from the Land of the Rising Sun.
Citrini-Beaulieu, who is a spectator at Friday’s World Cup, still doesn’t know when she will get the green light to return to the water.
“I train every day, but the decision to return to the water is not yet decided,” she confided. We will discuss the situation with my coaches. We want to take the necessary time so that I don’t suffer a setback if I come back too quickly. »
After struggling with a foot injury for several months, Citrini
Beaulieu underwent surgery in May. “I took the summer off to learn to walk again,” she said. I couldn’t wait for the surgery any longer because my bones started to die off. In December 2021 I dislocated my collarbone. My break allowed me to recover from both of my injuries and I returned to the water in November. My morale is good, although my process isn’t going well. »
Paris still in sight
Citrini-Beaulieu was not yet at the end of his troubles. His return lasted only a few months. “From January, the pain returned to the collarbone,” she said. We agreed that my body needed rest. This calm was beneficial and is bearing fruit. I train every day and I see the difference. »
Will Citrini-Beaulieu still be unsure about her return to be ready for selection for the Paris Games?
“The most amazing thing about being able to start diving again after my foot surgery was that I was still at a good level,” she said. It’s motivating to see that. I realized that you can improve certain aspects without diving and transfer them to diving on the way back. My goal is to be ready for Paris, but I will not go to the Olympics just to compete. I will never go to the games just for fun. »
Despite the pitfalls, the diver is still passionate.
“I have loved my sport since I was a child and I still do. Every time I come back to compete or practice on the springboard, […] I recognize my opportunity to do what I love. »