Rhiannan Iffland and James Lichtenstein both had their own remarkable journeys to high diving glory at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025, and their success has earned them the World Aquatics Athlete of the Year Awards.
World Aquatics honours the standout performers across all aquatics sports with the Athletes of the Year Awards, and Iffland reclaimed the crown she last won in 2023 while Lichtenstein clinched it for the first time.
Iffland's Fifth World Title Cements Legendary Status
For Rhiannan Iffland, 2025 represented yet another chapter in an outstanding High Diving career that continues to reach new heights. The Australian legend dominated the Women's 20m final in Singapore, leading from start to finish to claim a fifth consecutive World Aquatics Championships gold medal.
The magnitude of her accomplishment was not lost on the now-34-year-old as she reacted afterwards.
“Yeah, this one's crazy. I've already achieved four in the past, and I was wondering about the possibility of winning a fifth,” Iffland said moments after her latest triumph.
“I came into this event knowing I could be fighting for it, but it wasn't my main goal. It's insane, I'm blown away, I'm kinda speechless right now. I never would have thought 10 years ago I would be holding my fifth medal.”
Iffland's sustained success on the highest stage is testament to her ability to adapt her approach, and she continues to lead the way in the sport.
“Every year is different, every competition is different. But my mentality is always the same," Iffland explained.
“I always come in trying to put on a good show and to get four consistent dives. It's been a crazy ride, you know, obviously I'm getting older and trying to keep my body in one piece, and that was kind of my goal. To take it step by step, and that's how I prepared for this competition.”
Iffland also triumphed at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup 2025 - Hosted by Marmeeting in Porto Flavia, Italy, adding another major title to her medal haul.
Lichtenstein's Dramatic Finale Delivers Breakthrough Gold
James Lichtenstein (USA) provided one of Singapore 2025's most thrilling moments with a breakthrough performance in the Men’s 27m competition.
His first World Aquatics Championship gold came in dramatic fashion. Heading into the final round, Lichtenstein trailed Spain's Carlos Gimeno, but produced a stunning concluding dive to leap into the lead for the first time and snatch gold.
“I've been training really hard for this. Had a tough start to the season for me, but I've been training really hard,” Lichtenstein said after his victory.
“It's a new format. These guys, we're all doing more dives than we're used to, but you know, we all train accordingly. I knew my DD is in the higher end of the range, but there are people who have higher DD than me, so I was gonna put in the work that I needed to do.”
His final dive was all the more impressive as he bounced back perfectly from a fifth dive which he had been disappointed with.
“Honestly, I could have done better. I wasn't happy with my fifth run dive, but, you know, that's the name of the game,” he admitted.
“Everyone hits and sometimes you miss, but I am absolutely thrilled right now. I know I can dive well, but to put it together when it counts is a thrilling feeling.”
Lichtenstein backed up his Singapore gold with another major victory later in the season, claiming gold at the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup 2025 - Hosted by Marmeeting in Porto Flavia.
Iffland and Lichtenstein stand as the 2025 World Aquatics High Diving Athletes of the Year, the former as a legend who cemented her legacy with a fifth world title, and the latter as the latest star to rise to the top of Men’s High Diving.