SASKATOON, SK (April 8, 2022) – The 2022 Winter Senior National Championships kicked off today at the Shaw Centre in Saskatoon, SK with divers from the host province capturing three medals to start the event off with a bang.
This, despite having a fire alarm go off during the second round of the men’s 3-metre springboard final due to a small electrical fire and everyone having to vacate the building. The competition was fortunately able to resume shortly afterwards.
Fresh off his most recent performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, 18-year-old Cédric Fofana from Montreal, QC won gold in the men’s 3-metre final with a total score of 382.25, despite balking on his final dive, earning him a 2 point deduction.
“My goal coming here was just to get back into competition and to try to do my dives the best that I can while diving under pressure. I haven’t had the chance to do that since the Olympics,” said Fofana who finished 29th on 3-metre at the Games last summer. “My goal for this season is to work on my consistency and my confidence. I’m happy with how my reverse three and a half tuck went – it wasn’t the best at training lately so I’m happy that I could do it better here.”
Close on Fofana’s heels was hometown Saskatoon athlete Bjorn Markentin who was leading into the sixth and final dive, but ended the day capturing the silver medal with a score of 380.40.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to Canadian senior nationals,” said Markentin who is currently competing in the NCAA with the University of Arizona. “I had a really good year down in the NCAA this year so I’m feeling good, feeling confident. I didn’t have a lot of expectations coming in, because it’s kind of the first time I’ve been back in a while, especially after COVID. I just wanted to try to better my own scores, and do what I know I could do.”
Rounding out the podium for the men’s 3m was Olivier Gauthier from Montreal, QC who took bronze with a score of 372.40.
Saskatchewan-based athletes crowded the podium in the women’s 1-metre final with 19-year-old Saskatoon athlete Margo Erlam laying down five great dives to win her first senior national title with a total score of 289.30 – edging out Canadian national team veteran Pamela Ware of Montreal, QC who took silver with a total score of 284.10. Regina-based athlete Alyssa Clairmont captured bronze with a total score of 264.05.
“This is definitely a confidence boost for me,” said Erlam who is also competing in the 3-metre competition with FINA Diving Grand Prix – Canada Cup (Calgary, June 9-12) qualifications on the line in that event, taking place on Sunday. “My ultimate goal is pulling off the double win. I know it’s going to take a lot of hard work and I’m on both sides of it right now. I’m more nervous because I won, but I’m also feeling a little bit more relieved and confident in myself.”
Competition continues tomorrow with the men’s 1-metre, and women’s 10-metre platform competitions starting at 10am MT. The event will wrap up on Sunday with the men’s 10-metre, and women’s 3-metre competitions.
For full results, please visit: https://www.integratedsports.net/diving/live/live.aspx
To watch the competition live, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/aquatics/live-stream-canadian-winter-national-diving-championships-1.6409759
About Diving Plongeon Canada
Diving Plongeon Canada (DPC) was established in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization to promote the growth and awareness of the sport in this country. As a member of FINA, the world’s governing body of aquatic sports, DPC contributes to the development of globally accepted standards of excellence in diving and supports the rules and regulations of international competition. DPC shares a national commitment to advance the art and sport of diving and to position Canada as the number one diving nation in the world. For information, visit www.diving.ca.
For more information:
Maelle Dancause
Manager, Communications
Diving Plongeon Canada
514-475-4540 | maelle@diving.ca