Berlin, Germany – July 21, 2025
Team South Africa’s divers wrapped up another challenging day at the Rhine-Ruhr World University Games on Monday, as Bailey Heydra concluded her Women’s 3m Springboard campaign in the final, while teammate Anathi Shozi made his 2025 Games debut in the Men’s 1m Springboard preliminary round.
Heydra Steady in Women’s 3m Springboard Final
Following her composed preliminary-round performance on Day 4 that secured her place as the sole South African in the 3m Springboard final, Heydra once again displayed poise under pressure. Delivering a five-dive routine, she finished 9th overall with a total of 223.80 points – placing mid-table in a highly competitive field dominated by China’s Wang Weiying, who clinched gold with 344.25.
Heydra’s standout moment came in Round 2, where she executed a Forward 3½ Somersault (Tuck) that earned 50.40 points, briefly lifting her to 6th place. Although a dip in scores on her third dive set her back, she regained composure to finish strongly. The result capped a consistent run for the University of Pretoria diver, underlining her ability to compete among the world’s best.
Her result adds to the confidence gained from South Africa’s diving squad earlier in the Games, where she joined Grace Brammer and Kerry-leigh Morrison in the preliminary rounds. While the trio could not break into medal contention, Heydra’s progress to the final marked an encouraging highlight for the team.
Shozi’s Learning Curve in Men’s 1m Springboard
For debutant Anathi Shozi, the Men’s 1m Springboard preliminary was a baptism of fire. Facing a field stacked with international experience, the Mangosuthu University of Technology student finished 23rd with 189.60 points.
Shozi started positively in Round 1, his Inward 1½ Somersault (Pike) earning 43.20 points, which briefly placed him 20th. However, a sequence of lower-scoring dives in subsequent rounds saw him slip to the bottom of the standings, with his Reverse 1½ Somersault (Pike) in Round 4 marking the low point at 25.20. His final dive, a Reverse 1½ Somersault with 1½ Twists (Free), added 26.00 to his tally, but was not enough to climb the rankings.
Despite the result, Shozi’s participation offered valuable exposure to the intensity and technical demand of international competition – an important step in his development as he looks to build on the experience in future events.
Context of Team SA’s Diving Campaign
Day 5’s performances followed a mixed campaign for South Africa’s divers across the Games so far. On Day 2, Grace Brammer and Kerry-leigh Morrison combined in the Women’s Synchronised 3m Springboard final, finishing 9th with a composed display. Day 4 saw Heydra earn her place in the 3m Springboard final, while Brammer and Morrison placed 16th and 24th respectively in the preliminaries.
Together, these performances reflect both the promise and the challenges of competing in a sport long dominated by powerhouses such as China, the USA, and Germany.
Looking Ahead
With Heydra now completing her 3m campaign, Brammer and Morrison are expected to turn their focus to the Women’s 1m Springboard. Shozi, meanwhile, will return home with invaluable international experience under his belt, laying the foundation for future progress on the boards.
As the diving competition continues, Team South Africa can take encouragement from the resilience shown by its athletes – proof that the foundations are being laid for the next generation
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
For More South African World University Games News:
Day 5 Recap – South African Swimmers Impress with Medals and Finals Spots
Team South Africa Impresses on Opening Day of Athletics at Rhine-Ruhr 2025
Day 4 Diving Recap – Heydra Leads the Charge for Team SA in Women’s 3m Springboard
