Australian diver Cassiel Rousseau made history at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, clinching gold in the men's 10-meter platform final with a stunning sixth-round dive scoring 99.90 points. His total of 534.80 marks his second world title after his 2023 Fukuoka victory, solidifying Australia's growing prominence in competitive diving.
"You have to deliver six consistent dives – tomorrow could bring a completely different result," Rousseau remarked, highlighting diving's unpredictable nature. The 23-year-old also earned silver in the mixed 3-meter synchronized event with Maddison Keeney, contributing to Australia's second-place finish in the diving medal tally.
Ukraine's Oleksii Sereda (515.20) and Mexico's Randal Willars Valdez (511.95) claimed silver and bronze, respectively. China's Zhu Zifeng and 14-year-old debutant Zhao Renjie placed fourth and fifth, marking the first time since 1986 that China missed the podium in this event at the World Championships.
The result follows China's earlier gold-medal absence in the men's 3-meter springboard, raising questions about shifting dynamics in a sport long dominated by Chinese athletes. Analysts suggest increased global competition and pressure on emerging divers like Zhao may reshape strategies ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
