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Sarah started diving aged 12 from a background of gymnastics after a friend from her group left to try diving.
Her first coach Andy Banks asked Sarah to start diving after a he saw her in a fun session. Sarah started in 2001 at the Central Park pool in Plymouth.
Sarah won her very first competition in Belgium 2002 and from there she has won 12 British National titles.
Sarah was put onto the Junior British team at the age of 14 and the Senior British team at the age of 16.
At the age of 18 Sarah moved to Leeds to study for a degree in Sport Science at Leeds Metropolitan University, she was coached by Adrian Hinchliffe.
This lead to a disappointing 2008 where her and partner at the time – Monique Gladding came 2nd at the Olympic Trials by less then 1 point. As they were the top pair for that year they were both absolutely gutted.
In 2009, Sarah came back to be British Champion at the National Championships only to be shot down again when she picked up a bad back injury, which resulted in a 12 month break and recovery. This meant missing out on competing in the World Championships in Rome.
In 2010, Sarah partnered Tonia Couch in the 10m synchro where they won Bronze at the USA Grand Prix, and were 4th at the Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately Sarah picked up yet another back injury leaving her out of the sport for a further 7 months.
Not letting go of her Olympic dream Sarah and Tonia were placed 4th at the World Championships in 2011 and won a bronze in the World Cup in 2012.
They both dived together at the recent Olympic Games in London finishing in 5th place. Tonia was the friend who encouraged Sarah to take up diving as a new sport.
In 2013, Sarah went to the World Championships in Barcelona and placed 4th in the world individually. Which is still the top placing of a British female at a World Championships.
A great year continued into 2014 qualifying for the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and the European Championships.
At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Sarah won a silver medal with partner Tonia before heading to the European Championships on her own and winning the title, the first female to do so since 1927 whilst going through a shin injury.
During 2015 Sarah struggled with her ongoing shin injury but more than determined she still qualified for the World Championships – the first Olympic qualifying event finishing in 6th place.
Sarah then took 2 months off for the fractures to heal but went into 2016 having been taking out of the synchro team with Tonia Couch.
A change of mind from British Diving had her back in the synchro team again where they won a Bronze at the World Cup and last qualifying event for the Olympic Games, they qualified a spot for Team GB.
The decision was made, from then on, was that Sarah would not be part of the synchro team once more and would have to qualify alone to be in Rio in August.
After months of rehab and constant knock backs Sarah in true grit fashion, won the Olympic Trials in Sheffield. This qualified her place on the Rio Olympic Team.
Sarah has since retired from the sport and is searching for something as passionate as her love for diving.
Sarah worked on the Sporting Champions programme helping to make an impact to young people’s lives and raise their aspirations, and is now looking to inspire your audience by sharing her secret of what it takes to be the best you can be!
It was very refreshing to see a normal person can become someone special with hard work and dedication, very inspiring.
Sarah Winn, Plymouth University, USAF
Elite Athletes for Schools and Education.
Inspirational Speakers has been providing high profile keynote speakers and entertainers for over 25 years.
Elite Athletes for schools and education.
Elite Athletes for schools and education.
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Inspirational Speakers has been providing high profile keynote speakers and entertainers for over 25 years.
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