A taste of the Tokyo Olympics has whetted Nikita Hains’ appetite and the WA diver is hungry for success on the world stage.

Hains is set to kick-start an intense few months of competition in North America, after being selected in the Australian squad for the Canadian leg of the 2022 FINA Diving Grand Prix.

The Canada Cup is the first in a run of three big meets, continuing at the FINA World Championships in Budapest and culminating with the Commonwealth Games - and the 21 year-old is hoping to use the lessons she learnt in Tokyo as a springboard to success.

“Hopefully I do qualify for Birmingham, but there’s nothing that prepares you for a major competition like attending a major competition,” Hains said.

“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.

“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.”

The WAIS graduate, who will contest the 10m individual and the 10m synchronised alongside diving partner Emily Boyd at the Canada Cup, said the Olympics had fueled her desire to compete at the highest level possible.

“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,” she said.

“Although it was postponed for a year, which was very difficult, having it be only a year prior to the Commonwealth Games and our World Championships and the Canada Cup, I think that closeness is really unique.

“It’s helped me keep my motivation up and strive for the Commonwealth Games, and all of these events, just to ride on that high that I’ve been on.”

While Hains has already made a dozen or so Australian teams by her count, she said the thrill of representing the green and gold was yet to wear thin.

“Every time I put on the green and gold, I have to pinch myself, so to be able to do that again, I can’t wait,” she said.

“I’ve been an athlete for a very long time, I started my career as a gymnast, so I had the dream of representing Australia and making the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games since I was around six years-old.”

Hains will be joined in the Canada Cup squad by fellow West Australian and Rio bronze medallist Maddison Keeney.

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.