To put this in a bit more perspective, Mitcham scored 106.40 in the semis. This was also the highest single dive score in Olympic history. In order to take the gold he needed 107.30 on his final dive. Completely unprecedented. He ended up with 112.10, not only beating his PB but completely smashing the record. Zhou certainly helped by completely fluffing his dive, but Mitcham still needed to execute a near perfect dive to take the gold. He did so and became only the second Australian male to win an Olympic diving Gold, the first since 1924. Amazing stuff.
Wow that is surprising. Australia is a big nation, did not know they've only got two medals. A quick google tells me Ausralia has 152 medals which I doubt they accumulated in the past 2 Olympics, maybe you mean second diver to get a medal?
Textbook perfection. I grew up worshipping at the temple of Greg Louganis. Watching Mitcham reminded me that greatness comes along in every generation.
@@billyb9067 This video definitely is a light at the end of a tunnel for me. For a very long time, I have let my emotions get in the way of my journeys to success.
Angela Nguyen it’s judged by seven judges scoring from 0, .5, to 10 points. The top two and lowest two scores are taken out and the middle three scores are added up and multiplied by the degree of difficulty. I believe he gotten four 10s and three 9.5s. So the three middle scores would be 10,10, 9.5.. which equals 29.5 times the degree of difficulty 3.8 equals 112.1. I hope that answers your questions.. and yes what a beautiful final dive he had. World record til a while ago.. but might still be Olympic record
@@billyb9067 They all look Beautiful and difficult to me bc I certainly cannot do it. I also know nothing about diving. Can you please explain what makes his more difficult than the Chinese diver’s? Is zero splash the ultimate goal in dives? Does that mean precision? Thank you!
I remember seeing this footage and thinking it was one of the most inspirational examples of athletism ever recorded. Mitcham's infectious personality and technical precision encourage me in so many ways - and I barely even swim!
Can't believe it's 10 years ago but I remembered watching that live. I was only 10 years old and didn't really understand how precious that medal means to him. Nor I knew at that time that china is dominating in diving and beating the dominating country in the olympics is really something! I remembered he was crying after he knew that he came up first at his last dive, now watching this, I am so absolutely proud of what he had did to get that gold medal :') much respect to him.
Underrated by many unfortunately. Matthew was responsible for one of the greatest sporting performances by an Aussie ever. To go and beat the Chinese divers (who are so fantastic) at the Olympics on their home soil, unheard of. In my opinion the greatest Australian Olympic gold medal considering the standard of his opposition and where he had to beat them.
What an amazing achievement. Matthew, I have watched this video several times and always feel exhilarated. That last dive???? My God! Human perfection. You are inspirational.
This, for me, is up there with Kathy Freeman's 400m win and the Men's 4 x 100 freestyle relay at the Sydney Olympics.....it's just sensational! The Chinese were dominating the diving at Beijing, threatening to clean sweep the entire competition then along came Mitcham with a virtually perfect diving exhibition to deny them. So sweet!! The final dive was as close to perfection as any dive in history! Matthew Mitcham.....you are an Olympic Legend!
I was so enchanted by MM with his beautiful diving and the interviews afterwards (even one in French!), I saved them all. I look at them every once in a while and still marvel at what this lovely lad has done.
Well done Matthew! Great story, I loved sharing this with my 11 year old daughter - inspirational, personal sacrifice, self discipline and focus! All great lessons in life
I am a Chinese, I still remember back in 2008 when I was a kid and watching this diving on TV, and absolutely shocked with how well Matthew performed that dive and he definitely deserve it! Congrats to him.
Not only he was the most underrated diver of the decade but it was this Australian Matthew Mitcham that prevented China from a complete sweep of all the diving golds at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The all conquering Chinese divers were expected to sweep all the diving golds at stake and they did that with the women's. But it was Matthew Mitcham whose final dive which garnered him more than a 100 points that shattered China's hopes of a clean sweep of all the diving golds. Mitcham had best hoped only for a bronze but he surpassed himself by clinching the gold.
I WATCHED THIS LIVE AND I HAVE NEVER CRIED SO HARD FOR A SPORTING WIN SINCE COLLINGWOOD BROKE THEIR PREMIERSHIP DROUGHT IN 1990 HE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE MY SPORTING IDOL BRAVO MATTHEW
Well, for me it wasn´t a 10. He had a tiny, tiny mistake, so I would have given 9.5 - 10 is not false btw, I get why some voted 10. But 9.0 ?! You gotta be asking them what they want to see to give 10...
I was so sure that Chinese are going secure gold medal till last but that moment when Matthew got 112 for his last dive.. you are a legend man. You dive under loads of pressure but still you secured gold medal. Hats off..
Your a true legend you focused on your own dives and not what the other divers were doing that was the key to winning that gold medal love Anthony Fed ex lol
I am nil when it comes to knowledge of sports in general, and diving in particular. So me saying that I was impressed with his diving prowess doesn't really mean a lot. But there's something else I see: I really nice, humble, relatable, down to earth human being. ♥️
25 million of us Aussies, and we're always flicking the ear of greatness hoping to see those ahead of us break under pressure. Whilst we don't go to schools on kangaroos like others want you to believe, Steve Hooker could jump pretty high with a stick. We might be born from a colony of people running from the law, but Sally Pearson could run quick and jump over hurdles in her way. The majority of us may be confused by the concept of ice, but Steven Bradbury could at least stay on his feet whilst others were being swept off theirs. And whilst we'll always go on about how we *technically* won the 2006 World Cup (since we could have beaten Italy), we too can pull off some awesome dives. G'day from upside-down-land!
Its fate. I watched like 25 minutes of beijing olympics... and i saw his perfect dive I thought I was watching highlights but it was live. The crowds reaction u could tell something happened I never heard that reaction in diving before (only in soccer or wwf lol)
You earned and deserved the gold Mitcham. Now Sam Fuller is on the scene dping the same. Would love to see you both dive together. Youre both the best in tbe world 🌎.
And to think that a score of 514.50 will not even win you the bronze medal this olympics. How much has the standards of diving progressed in slightly over a deacade!
I have to be honest I’ve never heard of this guy, yeah yeah so shoot me LOL but seriously I have never heard of this guy just watching In dive, he is incredible.
Serious question: Does anyone know why the final Chinese diver's dive was not good? They said he ended up "bombing it" but it honestly looked the same to me.
Watch the slow motion replay,,,entry needs to be vertical and straight instead of banana shape on the approach. Heels and toes should be together, not flapping like Butterfly wings. And then a definite splash.
Saya Mau Sport divingnya untuk Pria atau Cowoknya ditayangkan tgl 13 Juni hari Jumat yang lalu untuk akhir bulan Juni ini dan awal bulan Juli mendatang untuk awal dan akhir tahun 2008 ini dan awal tahun 2009 nanti biasanya saja lagi iya deh.
