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 women's competition is Anna Bader. Anna placed 6th at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha and is expected to be one to look out for in Singapore 2025.
We put Anna into the question-and-answer hot seat. Here's what we got from her:
Dancing Passion: Latin Style
When she's not diving, Anna loves to dance, especially Latin styles. “I do Brazilian dancing with a partner,” she shared with enthusiasm. Her love for rhythm and movement outside the diving world adds another layer to her dynamic personality.
Role Models: Strong Women Like Shakira
Anna looks up to powerful women who balance strength with grace. “I really like Shakira,” she said, mentioning the global superstar as one of her role models. She also admires Pink for their ability to juggle strength and femininity, saying they both embody the type of women she strives to be.
Superpower Wish: Time Travel
If Anna could have any superpower, it wouldn’t be related to diving. “I would love to time travel,” she revealed. She dreams of visiting the past, particularly to experience life in the 1900s, to understand history in a more personal way.
Dream Destination: Bernkastel-Kues
While Anna has already fulfilled a major dream by diving in front of the Eiffel Tower, her next goal is to dive in front of a more personal landmark. “I would love to dive in front of my hometown, Bernkastel-Kues in the Mosel Valley,” she shared. Known for its picturesque vineyards and rich wine culture, Anna's hometown is a place she holds dear.
Pre-Dive Rituals: Juggling and Yoga
Anna has a unique pre-competition routine. “I usually juggle in the warm-up,” she shared, a quirky ritual that helps her focus. She also practices yoga and uses visualization techniques to mentally prepare for her dives.
Motivational Playlist
Anna's playlist includes songs that hype her up and keep her focused. “I love ‘Hit the Ground Running’ by Alice Merton,” she said, describing the song as motivating. She also enjoys the classic Superbad by James Brown, which she finds energizing before her dives.
Signature Dive: Armstand Back Double Pike
Anna’s signature dive is an impressive move: the armstand back double pike, which she was the first to compete with. “I was the first one to do it,” she proudly said. Now, others have taken on the challenge, but Anna continues to be a trailblazer in this dive style.