Fil-Australian cliff diver Xantheia Pennisi, along with Ukrainian Olympic bronze medalist Oleksiy Prygorov, pay it forward by teaching the Philippine national team some valuable lessons before competing in the Cliff Diving World Series Palawan leg.
It was a day to remember for the Philippine national diving team as they trained alongside two of the world’s best cliff divers, Xantheia Pennisi and Oleksiy Prygorov, in an exclusive session at the New Clark City Aquatic Center ahead of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series opening leg in El Nido, Palawan.
The special training camp served as a rare and valuable opportunity for Filipino divers to learn directly from the international stars.
Pennisi, an Australian-Filipina who previously competed in the Philippines in 2019, took the time to demonstrate proper diving form and technique, offering insights drawn from years of elite-level experience.
Meanwhile, Prygorov—a seasoned diver from Ukraine and a 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medalist—focused on sharing strategies for successful dives, emphasizing control, precision, and mental toughness.
“It’s always exciting to meet young people who bring new energy to the sport,” said Prygorov. “The level is big right now, and every year it gets better. We’d love to keep going and keep the friendly fight.”
Both athletes dazzled local fans with displays of their signature dives, giving the national squad and spectators a taste of what world-class cliff diving looks like up close.
The upcoming event in El Nido will be particularly meaningful for both athletes. For Prygorov, returning to the Philippines offers a chance to compete in warm weather and a welcoming atmosphere.
For Pennisi, it’s a deeply personal experience—one tied to family and cultural roots.
“I’m super excited to be back competing in the Philippines,” Pennisi shared. “It’s a very special competition for me because I have family here. They’ll be watching me, cheering me on. My family is the reason why I dive, and I’ll be doing it for them.”
As a message to aspiring athletes, Pennisi offered words of encouragement rooted in patience and consistency.
“It’s definitely all about the journey,” she said. “You won’t see results right away, but every little practice counts. It’s like filling a glass of water drop by drop—it may not seem like much, but eventually, that glass will fill.”
@onesportsphl JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER ?? World-class cliff divers na sina Oleksiy Prygorov at Xantheia Pennisi, nagbigay ng exclusive training sa ating Philippine diving team bago sumabak sa isang Cliff Diving World Series sa Palawan! | via LJ Abadinas/One Sports #OneSports #OSOnTheSpot
? original sound - OneSportsPHL
The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series kicks off this Friday and will continue for the rest of the weekend in El Nido, where male divers will leap from a 27-meter platform, while female divers take on the 21-meter challenge—all set against the stunning limestone cliffs and turquoise waters of Palawan.
You can watch the event on April 13, Sunday, 8:30 p.m. on One Sports and One Sports+.
(With reports from LJ Abadinas/One Sports Digital)
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]