Rio 2016: Sheffield's Freddie Woodward determined to enjoy his Olympics bonus

Being lost for words isn't a usual circumstance for Sheffield teenager Freddie Woodward.
Freddie Woodward somersaults in the 3m mens dive final at the British Gas Diving ChampionshipsFreddie Woodward somersaults in the 3m mens dive final at the British Gas Diving Championships
Freddie Woodward somersaults in the 3m mens dive final at the British Gas Diving Championships

But his rise into Team GB’s Olympic diving squad – along with the likes of Tom Daley and Jack Laugher – has put even the most confident teenager into a state of shock

“It’s something I’m struggling to put into words,” Woodward considers as he muses over the prospect of competing in Rio later this summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An intelligent talker, Woodward soon disproves his own starting point but it is clear his selection for the individual 3m springboard has come somewhat as a shock.

The Rio Games was not at the forefront of his radar heading into the Olympic year and a prospect of a medal looks distinctly unlikely.

Instead, Woodward, who won the national championships at the expense of an injured Laugher in February, has eyes on creating his own springboard towards Tokyo in four years time.

“It wasn’t something that I was necessarily expecting,” says Woodward. “I’d been diving well but going into this year I was thinking my main shot would be Tokyo.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But this year has gone from strength to strength and I’ve been diving incredibly well. I’ve been in the form of my life.”

Woodward is a proof of success from the first wave of national talent identification. Alongside thousands of primary school children, he was whisked to Ponds Forge a decade ago with the clear aim of finding future medallists.

In that sense, diving has never been a recreational activity for the Sheffield ace, but one with clear goals of development.

“I have shown that the system works. I have gone from there to the absolute peak of sporting competitions,” Woodward says.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“You have to be looking at medals as well, but that’s not where I am at. I think I will be really at my peak by 2020. It’s just such an incredible bonus that I’m on the team now.”

In heading to the Olympics, Woodward is continuing a long tradition for the City of Sheffield Diving Club, which has sent representatives to each Olympic Games since the completion of Ponds Forge in 1991.

Funding cuts and a loss of coaches had put the prospects of another Olympian in doubt until Woodward found his stride.

“Things have been incredibly hard but me and my coach (Tim Owens) got our heads down and thought, let’s just give it everything and it has come off,” Woodward added.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Woodward has drawn on the experiences of the likes of Ben Swain and Monique Gladding to reach new heights, while 2008 and 2012 Olympian Nick Robinson-Baker was his 3m synchro partner at the Commonwealth Games two years ago, where the pair impressesd when they won bronze.

He says: “It’s so important for a young diver to be able to see people at the top of their game going to the Olympics, and to see that’s what you’re aspiring to.

“If you don’t have anybody above you like that, it’s difficult to see where the goal is.”

The 18-year-old will be one of four divers with connections to Yorkshire in the 3m springboard competition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Laugher has genuine medal credentials while Harrogate-born Oliver Dingley and City of Leeds diver Yona Knight-Wisdom are both making diving history at the Olympics for adopted nations Ireland and Jamaica respectively.

Diving at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio will be a far cry from Ponds Forge but Woodward believes the outdoor setting will hold no added misdemeanours.

He says: “It does make a huge difference but it does going from indoor to indoor pool.

“When you’re outdoor and you’ve got the horizon and the sun, they can put you off what you’re trying to do.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I managed to dive very well at the test event and it didn’t phase me so that gives me confidence moving forward.

“I would love to make a final but the men’s 3m is one of the most competitive events. There are so many athletes from across the world all at an immense standard.

“I have shown I can put up a strong performance under pressure and that’s the name of the game in diving.

“If I dive like I can do, then a final is out there for me, which would be brilliant.”