Michael Hixon dives to two top-10 finishes at FINA World Championships

Staff reports

Published: 07-16-2017 9:43 PM

Two events in, and Amherst’s Michael Hixon has two top-10 finishes at the FINA World Championships.

He dove to fifth in the 1-meter springboard final Sunday in Budapest. The defending world championships bronze medalist scored 439.15 points on his birthday. Hixon was just 5.1 points away from bronze, won by Italy’s Giovanni Tocci (444.25). China’s Peng Jianfeng won gold at 448.40.

Hixon never dropped lower than sixth in the standings throughout the event. He scored 83.3 points on his most difficult dive, an inward 2½ pike.

On Saturday, Hixon teamed with Sam Dorman in the men’s synchronized 3-meter to finish sixth. The pair won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.

They scored 409.05 points and contended for a medal for most of the contest. Hixon and Dorman were in third place with a 10-point lead over fourth with one dive remaining.

They scored just 62.45 points on their front 4½ tuck and dropped to sixth.

“I saw the scoreboard and watched the scores, which I shouldn’t have. I put pressure on myself, and I choked. That’s about it,” Dorman said in a release.

Hixon still has one event left at worlds: the 3-meter springboard, which starts Wednesday with preliminary rounds and semifinals. The finals are Thursday.

]]>

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles