Shixin's Story
Fast Facts
Sport: Diving
Event: Men's 3m springboard
Olympic History: Tokyo 2020
Highlights: 2x World Champion in men's 1m springboard
Year Born: 1988
State Born: Guangxi, China
About Shixin
Shixin Li is one of the most decorated divers on the FINA Circuit, having amassed 53 medals on the tour. The Chinese-born Australian diver made his international debut in 2005, competing for China.
Despite his success on the FINA tour, Li was yet to compete at an Olympic Games prior to Tokyo 2020. This is due to the fact that his specialty used to be the 1m Springboard, an event that is on the FINA program but not at the Olympic Games.
Li prematurely retired from diving in 2014 after a highly successful year, winning medals in 13 out of 14 events he competed in that year. The 33-year-old cited an absence of his specialty event at the Olympics as being a major contributor to the decision.
However, after working as a diving instructor in China, Li realised he was still determined to compete at an Olympic Games. He made the decision to migrate to Australia with his wife and three children to help achieve this dream, and in 2019 began representing Australia in international competition.
Li made his return to competition at the 2019 FINA World Championships, competing in the 1m springboard, 3m springboard and 3m synchronised springboard events. He placed 15th, 24th and 14th respectively.
In his first year back competing, he won bronze medals in both 3m Springboard events at the Diving Grand Prix held on the Gold Coast. Since then, he has only competed in the men’s 3m events in preparation for Tokyo.
Just before the COVID-19 lockdowns, he won his first gold medal in five years in the men’s 3m synchronised diving at the 2020 FINA Diving Grand Prix held in Madrid, alongside Matthew Carter.
At the 2021 Australian Open Championships, which also doubled as the Tokyo 2021 qualifying event, Li’s dreams came true when he claimed a spot on his very first Olympic Team.
Li made his Olympic debut for Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Competing in the Men’s 3m Springboard, Li finished in 27th position.
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