Birch so happy at Commonwealth call-up

Robyn Birch admitted to being so happy at being selected for her first Commonwealth Games.

The 24-year-old, who specialises in the 10m platform event, is a former world class artistic gymnast who competed at the European Championships in 2009 and World Championships in 2010.

Robyn Birch
  • DOB: 10/01/94
  • Club: Dive London
  • Coach: Jane Figueiredo
  • CWG: Making debut at Gold Coast 2018.

But she gave that up in 2011 to concentrate on diving and has enjoyed a number of successes since then.

Dive London member Birch won Group A Platform gold at the British Elite Junior Championships in 2011 and retained her title the following year.

A third place finish at the British National Cup in 2014 saw Birch win her first senior medal in the 10m platform.

She showed her senior international pedigree in 2015, winning 10m Synchro bronze with Georgia Ward at the FINA Grand Prix in Gatineau, Canada, then upgrading to silver with the same partner at the European Championships in Rostock.

Learning experience

Birch than claimed  won her first British medal for an individual event at the 2017 British Diving Championships, claiming bronze in the women’s 10m Platform.

When the Team England diving squad for the Gold Coast was announced, Birch tweeted: “So happy to say that I have been selected to compete in my first Commonwealth Games this April in Gold Coast.”

Last year, Birch made her World Championship debut on day five in Budapest, reaching the semi final of the 10m Platform.

The Dive London diver qualified 10th from the prelim before placing 16th in the semi, with only the top 12 progressing to the final.

The 23-year old returned for the third session of the day, competing alongside Dan Goodfellow in the Team Event.

“I started the season with a back problem and didn’t even think I’d make the British team,” said Birch.

“To come here and reach the semi-final and sample this environment has been a great learning experience.”

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