Montreal, July 5th, 2024 – The 2024 Speedo Junior Elite National Championships are in full swing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Through Sunday, up-and-coming athletes divided into two age categories (A and B, both male and female) compete to qualify for the World Junior Trials scheduled for next October in Gatineau.
Thursday evening, three Canadian divers were decorated with gold: Keira Lu in the women’s 1m Group A (430.50 points), Claude-Olivier Lisé-Coderre in the men’s 3m Group B (483.55 points) and Ella Lindsay in the women’s platform Group A (353.40 points).
Competing in her final Junior Nationals, Lu had just one objective before entering the women’s 1m final: embrace the moment. “Since these are my last Junior Nationals, I just wanted to enjoy the moment and have fun with the rest of the team,” she confessed.
In a very tightly contested final, she battled right to the end against Alexa Fung (427.25 points), who led until the fourth and penultimate dive. The Toronto native ended up on the second step of the podium (427.25 points), ahead of Saskatchewan’s Lila Stewart (421.40 points).
Meanwhile, CAMO club’s representative Claude-Olivier Lisé-Coderre dominated the Group B men’s 3m event.
“This is the culmination of a full year of effort despite various injuries along the way. I never gave up and kept working hard every day in training. I’m ecstatic with today’s result.”
The Quebecer obtained his best result on his third attempt, earning 67.20 points and registering the session’s best score.
“My best dive today was my front three-and-a-half tuck. It requires a great physical effort, it’s very mentally difficult and it takes a lot of strength to get a good entry into the water, so I’m glad I got it done today.”
Saskatoon’s Kash Tarasoff won silver (432.10 points), while Joseph Turner of the Gatineau Diving Club (354.10 points) was awarded bronze.
The three medallists will all be in action this Friday in the men’s 1m Group B event.
“Winning a medal or not changes absolutely nothing for me. I’ll approach my other two events like I did today. One dive at a time, and we’ll stick to what we’ve been doing in training. Whatever the result, if I gave my best during the competition, I’ll be happy,” said a delighted Lisé-Coderre.
In the women’s 10m Group B, Ontario’s Ella Lindsay showed what she was capable of on her first and third dives. “I’ve taken part in several competitions this year and I think it helps me to perform better to be in this environment so much.”
In front of a noisy crowd cheering her on, Lindsay notched the gold medal, while her Calgarian teammates Daniela Dubrevska (314.60 points) and Lila Gokiert (298.85 points) were awarded silver and bronze respectively.
“I’m really grateful for all my teammates and all my friends who were there to support me,” confessed Lindsay.
The day ended on a high note for the Canadian divers as they all enjoyed a festive barbecue and a “rip” contest – a friendly competition in which athletes must enter the water with as little splash as possible.
Coming up on Friday: the men’s 3m Group A and 1m Group B events, as well as the women’s 10m Group A competition.
More information:
Alexandra Piché
Manager, Communications
Diving Canada
C: 514 625-5513
alexandra@diving.ca