The 2024 World Aquatics High Diving World Cup season served as the qualification pathway for the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025. As the world’s best prepare to compete on the sport’s biggest stage, we look closer at the athletes set to compete from the breathtaking heights of the 20m and 27m platforms.
Up next in the Men's competition is James Lichtenstein. James achieved a 2nd place finish at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup 2024 in Bahrain, Manama and is expected to deliver an impressive performance in Singapore.
We put James into the question-and-answer hot seat. Here's what we got from him:
Dream Dive Landmark: Statue of Liberty or Pyramids of Egypt
When asked about his dream landmark, James didn’t hold back his imagination. “I think it would be cool to do a competition in Chicago, that’s my hometown,” he shared. “Otherwise, the Statue of Liberty or the pyramids in Egypt—both would be amazing.” He even revealed that a competition near the pyramids had been considered, calling it “a cool idea.”
Favorite Competition Spot: Sacred Waters in Japan
James' top competition memory is steeped in culture and natural beauty. “We did a Red Bull competition in Japan, diving into a sacred gorge,” he said. “The town priest had to bless us to jump, and the dives off a waterfall and a 27-meter platform were unforgettable.”
Celebrity Invite? Maybe Not
Unlike many athletes, James isn’t too starstruck. “I’m not really into the whole celebrity thing,” he admitted. “They’re amazing in their field, but I don’t freak out over them.” He prefers to focus on the thrill of the sport itself.
Rituals and Competition Focus
James relies on a consistent warm-up routine to get in the zone. “Once I start that, I don’t have to think about anything else,” he said. During competitions, he takes a quiet approach: “I listen to the environment and pay attention to what’s happening around me. I get nervous about missing something, so I don’t wear headphones or zone out.”
Signature Dive Innovator
James loves to push the boundaries of what’s possible in high diving. “I was the first to do a quint back and the first to do armstand four and a half,” he shared. “I believe the human body can do anything. For example, twisting in the second flip of a triple front—it’s hard, but why not?”
American Dive Concept
When asked about creating his own style, James toyed with the idea of an “American-style dive” with creative poses in mid-air. While it’s still a concept, his history of being the first to execute daring moves suggests it could become a reality.