Anton Down Jenkins
Photo: Photosport
Diver Anton Down-Jenkins has withdrawn from the New Zealand team for this month’s Commonwealth Games due to mental health issues.
The Tokyo Olympian says he made the difficult decision to withdraw from Birmingham to prioritize his well-being.
“Ultimately, this decision is about me and putting myself and my mental health first so that I can continue to be successful in the future,” Down-Jenkins said.
“My coach is also based offshore which has made training very difficult. Unfortunately I am not where I want to be with my diving and I have decided that it is in my best interest to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games.”
Down-Jenkins finished eighth at the Tokyo Olympics and was considered a medal prospect at Birmingham.
His retirement reduces the diving team to seven members, six of them making their debut at the Commonwealth Games.
Down-Jenkins was to compete in the 3m springboard as well as the 1m springboard and the 3m synchronized springboard alongside Liam Stone.
liam stone
Photo: Photosport
Stone will now contest the 3m individual springboard and the 1m springboard.
The Commonwealth Games mark a remarkable comeback for Stone, who suffered a serious back injury before the Tokyo Olympics.
He only dived again in December and won 3 titles in the men’s 1m, men’s 3m and men’s synchronized 3m at the national champions.
Three of the teams’ six Games debutants are still in college.
17-year-old Onslow College student Arno Lee and 18-year-old Luke Sipkes compete in the 10m synchronized platform, with Sipkes also given permission to start in the 10m individual platform.
They will be joined by Nathan Brown, 22, from Wellington, who will compete in the 10m individual platform.
Maggie Squire is the youngest member of the team at just 16 years old. Year 12 Takapuna Grammar will contest the 1m springboard and is allowed to start on the 3m springboard.
She will also compete in the 3m mixed synchronized springboard, alongside Frazer Tavener, a 20-year-old student from the University of Auckland.
Rounding out the team is Mikali Dawson, a 17-year-old student from Albany High School, who will compete in the 10m platform. Dawson only started diving three years ago after an injury left her unable to compete in gymnastics.
-RNZ
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