Original Story: Diving Australia

In what can only be described as heartbreaking, Taneka Kovchenko has had to retire from diving with immediate effect. 

Neurologists have advised that due to the combination of a fairly common genetic formation of her brain and skull, and a hyper flexible neck, when her neck is in extension it is compressing her spinal cord to an unacceptable level of risk. She has made the difficult decision to take that advice and immediately retire. 

Taneka is an amazing ambassador for the sport of diving and we could not be prouder to have her represent us both as an athlete and now as a recently retired athlete. She has promised to not be a stranger and we will hold her to that! Diving Australia would like to acknowledge the excellent support she has received from the South Australian Sports Institute, our high performance partner in Adelaide. 

In conjunction with SASI, Diving Australia will continue to offer any and all support to her over the coming months. 

As you would expect, this news has also effected the Australian Diving team as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games. As further testament to Taneka's strength and also the strength of the Australian Diving Team, Taneka and the Team have embraced Teju Williamson who has come into the team to replace Taneka. 

Teju will compete in both the 10m individual and also the 10m Synchro with Melissa Wu. Teju has recently re-located from the excellent WAIS program to train in Brisbane with, amongst others, fellow West Australian Maddison Keeney. 

Diving Australia's thoughts and prayers are with Taneka and her family and friends, and our best wishes are with Teju!