The Mexican had snatched the lead with a superb effort in Friday’s Seeding Round and went on to join a list of only 8 divers who have won an event in Red Bull Cliff Diving history. It was a stunning display of diving in Mostar’s old town on this red-hot Saturday afternoon. 12,000 fanatical spectators saw fellow Mexican Sergio Guzman score the first ever podium finish of a wildcard, coming second from the 28m-platform atop Stari Most bridge. In the season’s first competition not dominated by Britain’s Gary Hunt, America’s David Colturi completed the podium.
One day after his 26th birthday and after Mexico’s rising star started closing in on the podium’s top spot during the last competition in the Azores, Jonathan Paredes took the day’s high score (480.90pts) for the first time in his World Series career. Another premiere followed in second position with 24-year-old Sergio Guzman (471.05pts) being the first invitee to finish that high in the rankings in only his fourth World Series appearance. David Colturi (470.60pts), who sneaked into the final of the top-8 as the lucky loser, pulled off a score of 10 with an outstanding last dive – with 154.00pts the highest scoring dive of the competition – to secure 3rd place.
After 5 wins in a row and for the first time this season Gary Hunt missed the podium with a 5th place; however, the ‘brilliant Brit’ secured his 5th overall victory with two stops remaining. With 650pts Colombia’s Orlando Duque – 7th in Bosnia and Herzegovina – is now only one point ahead of today’s winner in the season standings. Former Olympian Blake Aldridge fell behind in the overalls after losing his head-to-head battle to wildcard Anatoliy Shabotenko and is now in 4th (620pts). With two more competitions to come, David Colturi sits in 5th (560pts) and with only the season’s top five athletes automatically qualifying for a 2016 season, a thrilling climax can be expected.
From a place where diving has been a tradition for more than four centuries the World Series moves on to Polignano a Mare, Italy, for the season’s penultimate stop in four weeks’ time, where the Women’s World Series champion will be crowned.
QUOTES FROM THE WINNERS
Jonathan Paredes (MEX)
It was a really difficult start to the day for me. I was unwell and threw up before my first dive. I was thinking “just do my best” and it worked. To win here, in this town that is mythical, I’m just feeling happiness right now. I said after Azores that I want to be in the top 3 of the series, so I will try to do my best in Italy and Spain to do that.
Sergio Guzman (MEX)
I’m so happy because it’s the first time that a wildcard has made the podium. I can’t believe it. It’s a pleasure to be here because of the tradition of jumping from this bridge. Thank you World Series for the invitation. I’m looking forward to the next competition now in Italy.
David Colturi (USA)
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for me, starting off so well in Cartagena, and then the last two stops in Copenhagen and Portugal not going my way. Coming here to Mostar, with such a great tradition and passion for diving, it was a really special moment. So many people, such a great atmosphere. Coming through as a lucky loser I didn’t look at the other scores, but I knew I could hit that last dive. Such a cool moment ending up on that podium next to Jonny and Sergio. Sergio coming in as a wildcard and getting 2nd, how cool is that?! I’ll get some good rest and recovery and try to finish strong in the next two events.
