CAELI MCKAY, INDOMITABLE FROM START TO FINISH
December 16, 2023 – Caeli McKay displayed tremendous consistency on Saturday at the Senior National Diving Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She dominated the 10m platform qualifications in the morning, then came back even stronger in the final to secure the title of Canadian champion.
“I’m very proud of myself. Today was definitely one of the days I’ve been the most consistent in my entire career. My five qualification dives went really well, and that continued into the finals. I was really hoping to have a good day, so I just focused on each of my dives individually, and things turned out well,” she explained.
Although she appeared to be in complete control all day, the 24-year-old diver never took the win for granted. She continued to deliver her very best throughout the entire competition, finishing the day with 378.45 points.
“At no time did I think it was in the bag. Things can change very quickly in diving, and I didn’t really believe it until I had completed my final dive. I was up against several excellent competitors, so I had to keep giving it my all, right to the very end.”
Today’s victory allowed McKay to secure her spot at the World Championships, which will be held in Doha, Qatar, in February. McKay’s synchronized diving partner Kate Miller will also be there, thanks to her second-place finish today (351.55 points).
“I now have my sights set on a podium finish at the World Championships! If I can have the kind of day I had today, where I’m consistent throughout the competition, I really think it’s possible,’” said McKay. “Kate put a lot of pressure on me in the final. I’m so proud of her. She’s still very young, but she’s already excellent. She may be my best friend, but I’m not about to give her any breaks. I’m happy to see her do well on her own, too,” she laughed.
Éloïse Bélanger won the bronze medal with 334.65 points.
Rebound for Tazman Abramowicz
Feeling dissatisfied with his seventh-place finish in yesterday’s 3m final, Tazman Abramowicz was determined to get back on track in Saturday’s 1m event. And it was mission accomplished for the Albertan, who finished the day on top of the podium.
“I’m very happy with my win, especially after my more difficult day yesterday (Friday). I was really disappointed with my performance in the 3m event, and I wanted to get back on track as quickly as possible. I haven’t trained for the 1m all that much lately, but I still wanted to prove to myself that I could do better,” he admitted.
Abramowicz, who was in the middle of the pack in the early rounds of the final, took things up a notch with his last two dives, scoring 73.60 and 81.00 to bring his total to 397.95 points.
“I knew the top few scores were really close and that I was in fourth place provisionally. My second-to-last dive moved me up into first place, so I had to keep the pressure on if I wanted to stay in that position. I then pulled off an excellent dive that clinched it for me,” he explained.
Guest athlete Victor Povzner finished the event in second place with 379.35 points, but since he does not represent Canada internationally, he shared the silver medal with Emmitt Reesor (360.80 points). Ernest Braitenbach (336.15 points) completed the podium.
The Senior National Diving Championships will conclude on Sunday in Winnipeg with the men’s 10m and women’s 3m events. The top two athletes in each competition will secure a berth at the World Championships in Doha.