Melissa Wu started diving at the age of ten and has gone on the star on the world stage.

MELISSA WU started diving at the age of ten and by 13 had won the Junior World Championships.

That coveted title was a clear sign of things to come as she has gone on to take medals at the world’s most revered diving events including the Olympics in 2008.

Melissa continues to compete and is as proud as ever when she represents her home nation of Australia. Here she talks about why she’s determined to make it to her fourth Olympics and her growing interest and commitment to her role as a coach and mentor.

When did you start diving and who encouraged you to give the sport a go?

I started diving at the age of 10 because I loved acrobatic sports and from the first time I saw diving, I wanted to try it. 

Had you been a competitive swimmer or athlete in another sport before and if so what kind of levels did you reach?

No I didn’t do any other sport at a high level. My older sister was an elite swimmer though, and it was when I used to watch her race at Sydney Olympic Park that I first saw diving, which made me want to try it. 

Melissa love hear Olympic tattoo shows the passion she has for the Games.

Can you remember your first ever dive from childhood and how it felt?

My first ever dive wasn’t very good because I was just a beginner but I really enjoyed diving from the moment I tried it and continued to enjoy it the more I did it. 

When did you first realise you had a real talent for the sport and what were some of your earliest diving successes?

I first realised I had talent when I was accepted into a junior elite squad in the Australian Institute of Sport programme in Brisbane when I was 11. I worked really hard and qualified for my first Commonwealth Games at the age of 13 and won Junior World Championships at the age of 14. 

Melissa Wu has taken a trio of silver medals: at the Commonwealth Games in 2006; at the Olympic Games in 2008; and at the 2007 World Aquatics Championshops.

You’ve taken silver at the World Aquatics Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the Summer Olympics? What were those moments like and which do you rate as your proudest?

It’s an amazing feeling to win a medal and know that all your hard work has paid off. My proudest moments were winning a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and winning silver at the 2008 Olympic Games because I dived well, reached all of my coach’s expectations and had the honour of winning medals for Australia.

Melissa remains in position as she swoops through the air with the backdrop of the summer sky.

How proud are you to be an Aussie representing your nation on the world stage and what did it feel like when you received a sport scholarship from the Australian Institute?

I’m extremely proud to be an Australian and to represent Australia every time I compete. The support I’ve had from my country over the years has been amazing, especially at home Games events. When I received an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship at the age of 13, it was really special because it was what I had been training for and meant that I was part of an elite group of athletes, including Olympic medallists, many of whom I looked up to. 

What other areas of the sport are you involved in and do you work to promote diving to a wider group of young athletes?

I’m also involved in coaching and so far have coached at club level. I will be starting some coaching for the NSW Institute of Sport in a couple of months though, which I’m really looking forward to. It’s important to me to give to back diving and do what I can to help the next generation of divers coming through to be their best and get the best results possible. 

How hard are you currently training and which events and competitions do you have lined up next?

I’m currently training very hard and am in the middle of my competition season. I’ve just come back from competitions in Canada and Russia and am currently at World Cup in China.