Nerves no longer appear a problem for Maddison Keeney after the teenager made a bold statement at the World Series diving round in Kazan, Russia.
The Perth youngster exorcised her Kazan demons to claim three-metre springboard bronze in a world class field, boosting her confidence ahead of next month's Olympic trials in Melbourne.
Keeney, 19, had always been considered one of the country's most gifted divers - and most anxious.
At the same Kazan venue last July, the rising star was poised to podium in the one-metre springboard final at the world titles.
Unfortunately, she baulked on her final dive and all but fell off the board, relegating her to last in the 12-strong field and sadly becoming a YouTube novelty hit.
A stutter on the board also cost Keeney a two-point deduction at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, costing her a gold medal in the one metre event.
The lanky teen gained some vengeance upon her Kazan return, overcoming a slow start to finish with 352.15 points behind China's He Zi (388.20) and Italy's Tania Cagnotto (362.20).
Keeney is considered a Rio Olympic X factor.
Her tall frame can exact unprecedented height, giving her the best chance to execute dives with the highest degree of difficulty - and points.
Keeney will set her sights on Australia's Olympic trials in Melbourne starting on May 26.
She will be aiming to nab one of two spots Australia has qualified for in the three metre springboard event at Rio.
Meanwhile, teammate and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Esther Qin failed to qualify for the 3m final in Kazan after registering a no dive in the semis.
The World Series event in Russia will also feature Australian captain Melissa Wu and Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist Domonic Bedggood (both 10m platform).
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