Rhiannan Iffland leads the Women’s 20m field, and Carlos Gimeno sits atop the Men’s 27m standings after two rounds on the first day of high diving prelims at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025.
16 women and 23 men, the world’s best high divers contested at the World Aquatics Championships - Singapore 2025. After two rounds (of four) in the prelims, the sport’s biggest names are leading the way.
Women’s 20m
On the women’s 20m, Australian Rhiannan Iffland, 33, built a 3.7-point lead over Canada’s Molly Carlson, 26, with two more dives in the prelims remaining on Friday.
“The first two rounds for me went well, exactly how I wanted to start – shake off the nerves. It’s good to get off to a solid start so you can keep building on that confidence. That’s what I’m looking to do here so I’m really happy. It was an enjoyable day in the office so I’m ready to go for the next.” Iffland reflects.
Two-time world championship runner-up Carlson was leading the first (compulsory-dive 2.6 degree of difficulty) round, which will carry over into hopefully the finals - giving her an advantage.
“The new format is interesting. I just nailed my second dive, but it actually doesn’t count. At the end of the day, you just have to adapt to the new format." Carlson said.
She currently sits in second place after her longtime rival, Iffland, threw back 3 somersaults 2 twists - 5264B with 4.3 degree of difficulty (DD) in her second round, scoring 103.20 points to take the top spot on Day 1.
“I’m so happy with today’s performance. I haven’t competed since April, I was out for an injury. But honestly, it was two really solid dives. I put some easy dives today to go into tomorrow with a fresh brain. It’s always a battle between me and Rhiannan Iffland, she’s a superstar at the World Championships. I’m excited to dive tomorrow and the next day, hopefully.” Carlson explained.
Colombian Maria Paula Quintero secured the third place thanks to her forward 4 somersaults 1/2 twist - 5181C, earning 90.20 points, moving her from 8th to 3rd place after second round. USA’s Kaylea Arnett landed in fourth, just 0.10 behind Quintero. Kaylea’s teammate, Maya Kelly - just 18 years old and the youngest competitor in this women’s 20m event - landed in fifth place on her debut World Championships appearance.
Top 5 women after 2 rounds (of 4) in prelims:
- IFFLAND, Rhiannan (AUS) 169.50
- CARLSON, Molly (CAN) 165.80
- QUINTERO, Maria Paula (COL) 146.10
- ARNETT Kaylea (USA) 146.00
- KELLY, Maya (USA) 137.50
Men's 27m
The highlight of the Men’s 27m event today was Carlos Gimeno of Spain. The 35-year-old led the field in both of the dives performed on the first day of prelims.
“I did two dives and got some 9s and 9.5s. I’m happy with that but I don’t want to get too excited. There’s still tomorrow – two more rounds – and then on Sunday if I get to the final, another two more rounds. So far, so good," Gimeno said.
“I’ve been working very hard for this competition in Singapore. I have the best preparation for a competition. Everything, all the steps – my nutrition has been right, my training has been right, my mental training has been correct. Hopefully it pays off."
The 2023 world champion, Constantin Popovici, 36, of Romania, delivered two consistent dives to finish second. His second dive back 4 somersaults 3 twists - 5286B had a 5.8 degree of difficulty—the most difficult dive performed on the first day of prelims.
James Lichtenstein finished third, just 3.7 points behind Popovici, while high diving legend Gary Hunt, 41, placed fourth. France’s Hunt had led after the first (compulsory-dive 2.8 DD) round, which may put him in a favorable position going into hopefully the finals.
“(It feels) very good. It’s a new pool, new environment and a new format. We have three days of competition now, so you have to pace yourself but I’m very happy with my performance,” Hunt said.
Last year, Hunt competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the Men’s 10m Synchronised event. “Doing the 10m synchro all the way to the Olympics, obviously my mind was focused more on that, so the results on the 27m weren’t so good. But now, I feel free, I feel like this is what I have to do, this is what I’m born to do and so it’s exciting to be up there and still be competing for the medals,” Hunt reflects.
Top 5 men after 2 rounds (of 4) in prelims:
- GIMENO, Carlos (ESP) 218.40
- POPOVICI, Constantin (ROU) 216.50
- LICHTENSTEIN, James (USA) 212.80
- HUNT, Gary (FRA) 200.55
- GARCIA CELIS, Miguel (COL) 182.35
The new format keeps prelims longer, running in two days with 2 dives performed each day. Two rounds took place on Thursday, with two more dives scheduled for Friday. After that, the top 14 women and 14 men will advance to the finals on July 26 and 27, respectively. The two compulsory-dive scores will carry over into the final (so dive 1 and dive 3 from prelims - both of which have a maximum degree of difficulty). Finalists will make two additional dives (with unlimited degree of difficulty). The highest combined score across these four dives determines the winner. In short, four of the six dives will count toward the medals: the two compulsories from prelims plus the two optionals from the final.
Up Next:
High diving prelims resumes Friday with Women's 20m at 11:00 and Men’s 27m at 14:00 Singapore time.