KIMIKO
HIRAI SOLDATI
OFFICIAL SITE
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OFFICIAL SITE |
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Soldati, 30, makes Olympic team in 3-meter diving
ST. PETERS, Mo. - After missing her second dive of the day, it looked like 30-year-old Kimiko Hirai Soldati's Olympic dream was begining to fade. Former University of Miami diver Michelle Davison was making a hard charge, but Soldati answered the challenge. Soldati scored a 70 or better on her final three dives and won Saturday's 3-meter springboard event at the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials to make the U.S. Olympic team for the first time in a late-blooming career that has been beset by injury. Davison's attempt to make the Olympic team for a second time was hampered by her third dive, as Rachelle Kunkel held on for second to also advance to Athens. "I hope I give athletes hope out there," said Soldati, a University of Indiana graduate who started her diving career at 18 after being an amateur gymnast. Shoulder injuries have also hampered her career. "Dreams can come true. It doesn't matter your age." More than 30 family members cheered Soldati, who was born in Colorado and is of Japanese descent. Gary Hirai, Soldati's father, was born in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, but now his daughter will represent the United States in the Olympic Games. 10-METER QUEST Soldati will also try to win the 10-meter platform title tonight, although she is fourth going into the finals. Soldati came into Saturday's final leading the 13-diver contingent but dropped to second behind Kunkel after scoring a 38.70 on her second dive. On that attempt, Soldati over-rotated when she hit the water, sending a plume of water into the air. Davison, who finished 12th in this event at the Sydney Games, scored a 59.40 on her second attempt to bring her within eight points of second, but Soldati would not be denied. "I certainly made things more interesting," Soldati said. "I missed that dive, but I was OK with that. I missed it but handled it well." Kunkel, who trains in Southern California as a member of the Trojan Dive Club, held the lead after the second round but went back to second on the fourth dive when Soldati got a 72.90 and Kunkel scored a 65.7. On the final dive of the afternoon, Davison had her best dive of the day, scoring a 76.50, but Soldati and Kunkel didn't break. Kunkel got a 63.24, and Soldati secured her trip to Athens with a 72.0. Davison missed the second spot by less than four points. "I knew Davison was doing really well," Kunkel said. "I didn't feel a lot of pressure. I just tried to relax and distract myself. I was just trying to have fun and enjoy the moment." |
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