Is self-knowledge the secret of sport? Gary Hunt has been a top cliff-diver for more than 10 years — yet he remains very relaxed.
Inside the mind of the Lionel Messi of diving
Is self-knowledge the secret of sport? Gary Hunt has been a top cliff-diver for more than 10 years - yet he remains very relaxed.
What's happening?
One by one, the men walk to the edge of the diving board. They are high above the sea, at the top of a cliff.
They all dived off the board, twisting and spinning. But Gary Hunt's dive stunned everyone. He did a triple somersault with four twists. It was "the most difficult dive ever done".
In pool diving, the highest board is 10m above the water. Cliff divers go to 27m - the height of an eight-storey building.
In three or four seconds, they can reach a speed of 50 miles per hour. And they must hit the water with their feet, because diving head-first into the water is too risky.
Find out more
Gary Hunt has won the world series 11 times. But what surprises many is he does not seem to care that he is a famous athleteA sportsperson. The term derives from a Greek word meaning to compete for a prize..
He trains hard, has no coach and gives his trophies to his mother.
When Hunt was young, he dived with his best friend Gavin. But in 2007, Gavin died in a road accident. Hunt says losing his friend gave him a new drive to be successful.
Is self-knowledge the secret of sport?
Yes! Hunt knows who he is and stays the same even though he is famous. Knowing who you are helps you to do everything you are able to.
No! Most sports need talent. Even if you know who you are and work to your strengths, you will not be a top athlete without talent.
Keywords
Athlete - A sportsperson. The term derives from a Greek word meaning to compete for a prize.
Inside the mind of the Lionel Messi of diving
Glossary
Athlete - A sportsperson. The term derives from a Greek word meaning to compete for a prize.