Montréal, July 21, 2023 – Pamela Ware won a second bronze medal for Canada at the World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on Friday, following Caeli McKay’s medal on the platform on Wednesday. Ware finished third on the 3-metre springboard with 332.00 points, behind Yiwen Chen (359.50) and Yani Chang (341.50), both of China.
She had a feeling something special would happen in today’s final, because she slept for 11 hours last night—something she never does.
“I felt really good this morning [Friday]. I was in a good mood, and I felt ready. Things went really well, and I’m so proud of myself! It shows how hard I’ve worked for the past two years to get to where I am today,” said the 30-year-old Montréaler, who also secured a spot for Canada to qualify for the Paris Olympics in the 3m event.
As she exited the pool following her final dive, Ware did not realize she was in the running for what would become the fourth medal of her World Championships career.
“I didn’t know where I stood in the rankings, so when I saw all the coaches jumping up and down and hugging each other, I wondered what was going on. […] The Japanese diver still had to go, but she didn’t beat my score, so then I knew I had won the [bronze] medal, and I was so happy!” explained Ware, who was cheered on loudly by the other divers and the staff members of the Canadian team.
Ware also won a bronze medal in the 3m event at her first World Championships in Barcelona in 2013, as well as silver and bronze medals in the 3m synchronized event in 2013 and 2015.
This past Monday, the two-time Olympian was only 1.77 points short of claiming third place with Mia Vallée in the 3m synchronized event, which was won by Chen and Chang.
Ware attributes much of her success since last spring’s Montréal World Cup to her new coach, Hui Tong.
“He’s only been my coach for a year and a half, but we have an excellent relationship. He makes me laugh all the time, and he makes me feel good both in training and in competition. Before I dive in a competition, he smiles at me on the springboard, which gives me a boost. Thanks to him, I’ve fallen in love with my sport again, and I’m very, very happy that he’s my coach.”
Ware will skip the mixed 3m synchronized event to prepare for the World Cup Super Final in Berlin, which begins on August 4.
Also on Friday, Nathan Zsombor-Murray of Pointe-Claire finished 13th in the men’s platform preliminaries. He placed ninth in the semi-final, so he will advance to the final, which will be held early Saturday morning, Eastern Daylight Time.
More information :
Alexandra Piché
Manager, Communications
Diving Canada
C: 514 625-5513
alexandra@diving.ca