July 2, 2022 Mia Valle wasnt done wowing the crowds at her first ever FINA World Diving Championships in Budapest, Hungary. After winning bronze in the 1m springboard on Wednesday, she went one better Saturday, claiming silver in the 3m event.
If you would have asked me before the event if I was expecting this, I would have said no, not at all, exclaimed a giggling Valle.
Scoring 329.00 points for her five-dive performance, she edged out bronze medallist Chang Yani from China (325,85 points). Chen Yiwen, also from China, claimed gold with 366.90 points. Canadian Margo Erlam, also in action, finished 29th.
After her third dive, Valle was 5th. Her penultimate dive had her sitting in third place. Her last dive allowed her to climb to the second step of the podium.
Normally, I hear other divers scores during the competition but I have to be honest, I didnt know that I was in the top three. I actually thought I was either fifth or sixth , she explained.
The 21-year-old-diver only realized something special was going on when she got out of the pool after her last dive. Her family and friends were jumping for joy in the stands. Thinking the podium was out of reach for her, she had no idea what was going on.
Its pretty funny but I had no idea why they were so happy. One of my teammates came over to hug me and I still didnt get it. Its when Mitch Geller, my coach, came to congratulate me and told me we would have to stay at the pool a little later than planned because of the medal ceremony that I lifted my head to see the scoreboard, recounted the athlete, hailing from Kirkland, Quebec.
I saw that I came in second and I couldnt get over it. I think my jaw dropped, for real!, added Valle.
Even back at the hotel, her second Worlds medal dangling from her neck, she still couldnt quite grasp that she had been standing on the second step of the podium.
However, she will have to get back to business shortly, as she teams up with Margo Erlam in the 3m synchro on Sunday.
Its been a pretty intense week, emotionally. I dont have a ton of time to get my head into the synchronized event but normally, I dont have too much trouble compartmentalizing. It should be okay. I am really looking forward to competing with Margo. Were going to have fun, she predicts.
Rylan Wiens and Nathan Zsombor-Murray qualify for the 10m final
After their bronze-winning turn in the 10m synchro, Rylan Wiens and Nathan Zsombor-Murray have both qualified for the mens 10m platform event.
Nathan Zsombor-Murray finished 8th in the semi-final with 421.50 points after six rotations. Rylan Wiens finished 9th with 419.25 points. The top 12 divers qualify for the final.
Both men will dive in Sundays final hoping to add a second medal to their Budapest haul.
For complete results: https://www.fina.org/competitions/2902/19th-fina-world-championships-budapest-2022/results?disciplines=DV&event=30b61a30-9e53-44fb-97c3-4de2958e2265
A detailed schedule of events is also available on the FINA website.
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 worlds 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. Representing nine provincial diving associations, 67 local diving clubs and close to 4,000 high-performance athletes, 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.
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For information, visit www.diving.ca.
For more information:
Malle Dancause
Communications Manager
Diving Plongeon Canada
514-475-4540 | maelle@diving.ca