West Australian pair Nikita Hains and Maddison Keeney book Commonwealth Games tickets in diving

Glen Quartermain, AAPThe West Australian
Camera IconWest Australian diver Nikita Hains has stamped her ticket to the Commonwealth Games. Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

West Australian divers Nikita Hains and Maddison Keeney have had their passports stamped for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July-August.

Tokyo Olympian Hains and Rio bronze medallist Keeney are currently in Canada competing in the Canada Cup.

Hains, 21, and Keeney, 26, will head to the World Acquatics Championship in Budapest from June 17 to July 3 before joining the Australian team in the UK for the July 28-August 8 Commonwealth Games.

Hains will contest the 10m individual and the 10m synchronised alongside diving partner Emily Boyd at the Canada Cup.

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Keeney, who partnered with Annabelle Smith to win a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics, will take on the 3m synchro at the Canada Cup.

She is a dual world championship gold medallist in the 1m springboard and 3m mixed synchro.

Hains told The West Australian in May the Tokyo Games experience had helped to stiffen her resolve for international competitions.

“I’ve done some Grand Prix’s and national championships, but the pressure I felt standing up on that tower at the Olympic Games was nothing I had ever felt before and having that experience will be really good to have going into the Commonwealth Games,” she said.

Camera IconMaddison Keeney will head to the Commonwealth Games after the World Championships in Budapest. Credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images

“I’m used to all of that now and I can really focus on my training and my competition, rather than getting overwhelmed by the pressure.

“Making Tokyo was something I’ve always dreamed of and when it came to fruition, that was quite possibly the best moment of my life.”

Domonic Bedggood will take a fresh outlook into the Games after securing selection on Australia’s 14-strong diving team.

Bedggood, a dual Commonwealth gold medallist, only returned to diving four months after taking break from the sport to focus on his mental health.

The 27-year-old made his Commonwealth Games debut in 2014, winning gold in the 10-metre platform synchronised event when partnering Matthew Mitcham.

In 2018 on the Gold Coast, Bedggood won individual 10m platform gold before his spell from the sport.

Bedggood won’t defend that title at the Birmingham Games in July-August, competing in the 10m platform synchronised, the mixed 3m synchronised and 1m individual events.

“Coming back to diving after such a long break, I didn’t have too many expectations,” Bedggood said on Tuesday when Australia’s diving team was announced.

“So it’s very special for me and for everyone who has been a part of the journey.

“Having the time off to reflect has made me appreciate my career and the opportunities I have been given.

“Going into these Games I want to be able to enjoy it. Sport isn’t forever and it’s about making the most of these moments.”

Australia’s diving team for Birmingham is bookended by Chinese-born 34-year-old Shixin Li and 14-year-old Charli Petrov, who will both make their Commonwealth Games debut.

Melissa Wu will make her fifth appearance at a Commonwealth Games - the first Australian diver to achieve that milestone - when she competes in the women’s 10m synchronised and the mixed 10m synchronised events.

Wu will team with Petrov in the women’s synchro competition, with the teen inspired by her partner.

“I remember growing up and watching Mel compete at the Commonwealth Games and Olympics, that is how I got into the sport,” Petrov said.

“I still pinch myself when we’re up there on the tower and I look beside me and see her standing there.”

So far 25 WA athletes have been selected for the Commonwealth Games, with 22 supported by the West Australian Institute of Sport.

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