From fan to champ, James Lichtenstein wins his first high diving gold at World Aquatics C'ships
The 30-year-old American, who was trailing leader Carlos Gimeno of Spain by 24.7 points heading into the final round of the men's 27m platform at Sentosa's Palawan Green, executed a clutch dive to claim the gold medal, which was also his country's first at the WCH after 17 days of competition.
'Amazing, incredible, a dream come true. I know I can dive well, but to put it together when it counts is a thrilling feeling,' he said.
'I've been looking up to those guys (his fellow competitors) for years, and I started only four years ago.
'That first year for me was the adjustment period, like 'I'm diving with these idols', but now, I know I can compete with the best of them.'
James Lichtenstein in action in round 5 of the men's 27m platform at Sentosa.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Lichtenstein, who started competing in the high diving World Cup only in 2023, had never stood atop the podium previously, coming closest with a silver in the Bahrain leg of the 2024 World Cup.
At WCH 2025, he topped the 14-strong field with 428.90 points after round 6, ahead of Gimeno (425.30) and Romania's Constantin Popovici (408.70).
Executing five somersaults in the tuck position after a backward take-off, Lichtenstein scored a massive 143.10 points in the final round to surpass Gimeno's armstand 4½ tuck (114.80) and pip him to the gold by 3.6 points.
Carlos Gimeno during the sixth round dive.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
'Not (feeling) so good man,' a sullen Gimeno said at the mixed zone after the final.
'(From) being in first all the time for the whole competition… And at the end, just miss the gold by a little bit (three points).'
Pointing to his heart, he added: 'That hurt a lot, you know, and that's something that I'm gonna remember, (because it) hit here.
'I guess God didn't want to give me this gold medal this time… But chin up because this sport is so difficult and so dangerous and I'm proud of myself, I put in my best performance.'
The Spaniard had led through the first three rounds and again after the fifth, but as he prepared for his sixth and final dive, his hand wobbled while getting in position for his handstand.
Gimeno added: 'Normally we have only four rounds of competition. Here we have six rounds, so when I did the handstand, I felt a little tired. But yeah, it's painful. Second place, not good.'
But he is keeping a positive attitude and looking to bounce back at the high diving World Cup in Porto Flavia, Italy on Aug 30 and 31. 'It's another competition. So, yeah, that one… Yeah I'm going to win that one. I'm going to remove what I had inside (the pain) and I'm going to win that one.'
Popovici, who topped the field after the fourth round, said of his performance: 'In round 5, I missed my back twist by a bit, just a slight short from vertical (entry). In training I did very well, but competition is competition, but I'm happy for third place, and of course, in the future, I wish for a shinier one.'
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