Anton Down-Jenkins Photo: Photosport
Diver Anton Down-Jenkins has pulled out of the New Zealand team for this month's Commonwealth Games citing mental health concerns.
The Tokyo Olympian says he made the difficult decision to pull out of Birmingham in order to prioritise his well-being.
"This decision is ultimately about me and putting myself and my mental health first so I can continue to succeed in the future," said Down-Jenkins.
"My coach is also based offshore which has made it really hard to train. Unfortunately, I'm not where I want to be with my diving and have decided it's in my best interests to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games."
Down-Jenkins finished eighth at the Tokyo Olympics and was considered a medal prospect in Birmingham.
His withdrawal sees the dive team drop to seven members, six of them Commonwealth Games debutants.
Down-Jenkins was to compete in the 3m springboard and was also set to in the 1m springboard and 3m synchronised springboard alongside Liam Stone.
Liam Stone Photo: Photosport
Stone will now contest the 3m individual springboard and 1m springboard.
The Commonwealth Games mark a remarkable comeback for Stone who suffered a serious back injury in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics.
He only resumed diving in December and won 3 titles in the men's 1m, men's 3m and men's 3m synchro at the national champs.
Three of the teams' six Games debutants are still at college.
Contesting the 10m synchronised platform are 17-year-old Onslow College student Arno Lee and 18-year-old Luke Sipkes, with Sipkes also receiving permission to start in the 10m individual platform.
They're joined by 22-year-old Nathan Brown from Wellington who will contest the 10m individual platform.
Maggie Squire is the youngest member of the squad at just 16 years old. The year 12 Takapuna Grammar student will contest the 1m springboard and has permission to start in the 3m springboard.
She will also contest the Mixed 3m Synchronised Springboard, alongside 20-year-old Auckland University student Frazer Tavener.
Rounding out the team is 17-year-old Albany High School student Mikali Dawson who will contest the 10m platform. Dawson only began diving three years ago after injury left her unable to compete in gymnastics.
-RNZ
