Diving Legend Retires 

Olympian and NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Esther Qin has announced her retirement from the sport of diving after more than a decade representing the national team.

“I am very proud and honoured to have been part of the Australian diving team for the past 13 years,” Esther said.

“I’m very grateful for the happiness and joy brought by the team and the environment throughout my career.”

Esther is a dual Olympian, four-time Commonwealth Games medallist, and a world championship bronze medallist.

Born and raised in China, Esther’s initial sport of choice was gymnastics before taking up diving at the age of 11. In 2009, when Esther was 17, her family moved to Australia where she continued diving. She was awarded an NSWIS Scholarship in 2012, training under head coach Chava Sobrino.

“I would like to thank Diving Australia, NSWIS  and all the people who have supported, helped and accompanied me throughout my diving career: my family, coaches, teammates and friends, etc., mainly thanks to my coach Chava Sobrino; without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Selected on the Australia team for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the then 22-year-old won gold in the 3m springboard and a bronze medal in the 1m springboard. She also placed fourth in the 3m synchronised springboard.

Making her Olympic debut at the 2016 Games in Rio, Esther reached the finals in the 3m springboard individual, placing sixth overall. She went on to win multiple medals at world cup, grand prix and world series events and at the 2018 Commonwealth Games won a gold medal in the 3m springboard synchro and bronze in the 1m springboard event.

“Thanks for everyone who has helped and supported me to perform my best on the international stage and realise my dream of becoming an Olympian.”

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Esther finished 12th in the women’s 3m springboard event and was unlucky not to medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, finishing sixth in the women’s 1m springboard and fifth with Brittany O’Brien in the women’s synchronised 3m springboard.

The diving legend is not going far and plans to contribute back to the sport.

“I will still be around in diving as I’ve almost completed all of my coaching qualifications and look forward to passing on my experience to the next generation of youth athletes. I’m also working towards developing my career outside of sport. Thanks again everyone, see you all in the next chapter.”

NSWIS