Diving off the springboard

THE 14-year-old grandson of Lyn and Gilbert Kelly of Nyora is flying into the water after securing his place in the Australian Under 15 Team at the FINA World Junior Diving Championships in Canada from November 27 – December 4.

Jonah Mercieca has already secured multiple medals this year across the recent Australian Elite Diving Championships and Australian Open Championships, which also doubled as the Commonwealth Games selection trials.

“A couple of weeks ago we had the selection trials in Brisbane, and I managed to place in all three of my events, which made me eligible for selection,” Jonah explained.

“I won the three-metre springboard and 10-metre platform events, as well as the boys platform synchro.”

Earlier in the year Jonah narrowly missed out on the Commonwealth Games, placing third in the men’s synchro and fifth in the men’s platform but was still excited to be competing and placing.

“Competing at the Commonwealth Games trials was pretty good.

“Having the opportunity to compete against the older divers and get some experience off them – to meet at such a level…”

An energetic young boy, Jonah was first introduced to gymnastics.

“When I was really little I did gymnastics, and I was really energetic kid on the trampoline.

“One day I went to MSAC (Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre), and I saw them diving. Dad asked me if I wanted to try and I said, ‘might as well’, and I just kept going.”

Opening the diving boards at the Harold Holt Pool alongside two of his fellow VIS divers earlier last week was another feather in Jonah’s cap.

“It was good, I really enjoyed it,” Jonah said.

Watched on by St Joseph’s Primary School, the crowd erupted in cheers as the team dived into the water.

Where to from the World’s?

“My long-term goal is to make it to the Olympics and do the best that I can, if I get a medal that would be great, but even if I don’t it would still be just as good.

“My favourite is the 10-metre platform. I do my training on it and at competitions the satisfaction of doing a great dive – it’s a fantastic feeling.

“It’s a small sport, it doesn’t get much coverage and there are not many pools to practice in, but hopefully more people see it and want to try it down the line, and we get more divers.”

Currently Jonah trains 10 times a week – four morning sessions before school, five after school sessions and one Saturday morning session split between Ringwood and MSAC in Albert Park.

“He works hard combining training and school,” Jonah’s father, Eddie added.

“We are so proud of him!”