German tops Rider Cliff Diving; Domenios third

NASUGBU, Batangas, Philippines – German Jan Wilko Heinzel romped off with his second straight title in the premier High Diving Open division category while local bet Zardo Domenios achieved a breakthrough podium finish yesterday in the fifth Club Punta Fuego and Rider Cliff Diving International Challenge at Punta del Sol here.

Heinzel, a meteorology masteral student in Hannover who gets a high studying the weather and jumping off a 20-meter platform on a cliff, executed the triple front flip somersault with 1-1/2 twist dive with grace en route to a winning 336.63 points.

Swiss Andreas Hullinger (314.3) settled for runner-up honors  while Domenios, a Pinoy Sydney Olympian who switched to high diving after retiring from the national team in 2011, captured the bronze in the event participated in by divers from Indonesia, Germany, Russia, Switzerland and the US, with 309.25 points.

“I was really happy to win twice in a row; I love the Philippines, I love the competition and I can’t wait to be back next year,” said the 25-year-old Heinzel.

The back-to-back feat at Punta Fuego was Heinzel’s best since winning a bronze in the European tilt two years ago.

“I’d say I work better with pressure so I can call myself a competitor. When I’m in front of the platform, regardless of how nervous I was, I don’t feel anything, I just feel relaxed,” said the German, who works in a hospital back home to sustain his studies.

It was a personal milestone to Domenios, winner of the all-Pinoy inaugural edition, who landed in the podium for the first time since foreign divers started coming in three years ago.

“I had my best dive in the last three years,” Domenios, who uses the tourney to observe and learn from the Europeans, said. “They are naturally better than me, coming from the continent where the event originated. And I took it a challenge to try to compete with them.”

American Genevieve Bradley won the women’s open tiara with 294.3 points built around a fluid execution of the double-half front flip, two flips with  twist dive.

D’xismen Dumaguit also repeated as men’s champ in the diving category, scoring a winning 126.85 points against John Elmerson Fabriga (124.05) and Indonesian Aghil Irhlas Yutama (122.65).

Hazel Bernadette Abiera ruled the distaff side with 104.3 versus Azel Rose Ocmer (98.15) and Riza Jane Domenios (86.9).

The winning divers received their awards from officials of Club Punta Fuego and ELRO Retail Corporation, exclusive distributor of co-presenter Rider Sandals.

“We are thrilled to support this international event because this showcases Rider’s passion for adventure,” said Rider’s Cecille Loretizo.