Australian high diving talent Lacey Hema will return to the world stage this week when she builds on her prior success at the World Aquatics Junior High Diving Championships 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The event will be held this weekend 16-17 May and will feature many of the world’s best emerging high divers competing from the 15-metre platform across two junior age divisions.

Hema, who trains on the Gold Coast, heads into the Championships as one of the athletes to watch after making history at the inaugural World Aquatics Junior High Diving Championships in Brasília, Brazil. The Queenslander claimed gold in the girls’ 15-16 age division, becoming the first Australian Junior World Champion in High Diving.

Hema cemented her standing in the high diving community, leading after every round of the 12-metre 15-16 years competition last year, finishing on top of the podium with 259.10 points.

This year, Hema moves into the older 17-19 age category and will again line up against an international field that includes returning medallists from Canada and China.

The championships will follow immediately after the opening round of the 2026 High Diving World Cup season at the renowned Fort Lauderdale venue, creating a major showcase weekend for the sport.

Australia’s growing pedigree in high diving continues to gain momentum, led by the success of reigning world champion Rhiannan Iffland and an emerging generation of athletes pushing onto the international stage. With investment in world-class infrastructure including Brisbane’s new National Aquatic Centre ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, the future of Australian diving and high diving is well positioned as the country continues to establish itself as a global force in both indoor and outdoor diving.