{"id":3237,"date":"2008-08-01T20:08:01","date_gmt":"2008-08-01T20:08:01","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-10-15T13:25:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:25:40","slug":"us-diving-olympian-haley-ishimatsu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/?p=3237","title":{"rendered":"US Diving Olympian Haley Ishimatsu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Haley Ishimatsu was making a name for herself in the sport of gymnastics when an injury took her out of the game. In 2004, Haley switched to Diving even though she had a major fear of heights. For someone who had a phobia, she sure overcame it quickly as her platform diving career took off right away. In 2007, Haley won Pan American Games medals combined with nine top-ten finishes in international competitions and is now a contender for the Gold in Beijing. Haley Ishimatsu was making a name for herself in the sport of gymnastics when an injury took her out of the game. In 2004, Haley switched to Diving even though she had a major fear of heights. For someone who had a phobia, she sure overcame it quickly as her platform diving career took off right away. In 2007, Haley won Pan American Games medals combined with nine top-ten finishes in international competitions and is now a contender for the Gold in Beijing. At only 15 years old, Haley and her synchro platform teammate Mary Beth Dunnichay will join a veteran U.S. Olympic diving team. Haley is one of only 2 women divers who can perform a back 3 1\/2 pike, a diver typically reserved for men. Teammate Laura Wilkinson is the second. <\/p>\n

\nBoth Asiance cover girls Haley and gymnast Ivana Hong know each other from GymMax, where both used to train in California and are doing a great job representing Asian American women. Read on for our interview with Haley. <\/i>
\n<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: Why did you switch to diving?<\/h3>\n

Haley:<\/b> I switched to diving because I wasn’t really enjoying it anymore. The hours were getting far too long for me. Then I fractured my elbow. My sister Tori was already in diving so I went into diving.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What college are you planning to attend?<\/h3>\n

Haley:<\/b> I don’t know yet. I have a lot of offers.<\/p>\n

\nHere is one dive with Haley<\/p>\n

\n<\/param><\/param><\/embed><\/object><\/p>\n

\nBut NBC has ALL Haley’s dives here www.nbcolympics.com<\/a> <\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What athletes do you admire?<\/h3>\n

Haley:<\/b> I admire Laura Wilkinson. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong with her. And still she has pulled through. I love Michelle Kwan, even though she is the best ice skater in the world. She has never won in the Olympics but she proved herself.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Haley<\/a><\/div>\n
Haley in action<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

ASIANCE: Who are you trying to beat in Beijing? Who is your competitor?<\/h3>\n

Haley:<\/b> I really just have to focus on my own diving. Do my best. If I beat everyone then great!<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What else do you want to do while you are in Beijing?<\/h3>\n

Haley:<\/b> Just enjoy the experience.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What was your training like? And has it been beefed up now?<\/h3>\n

Haley:<\/b> We’re more in a taper right now before the Olympics. Typical day is, dry land from 7:30am to 10:00am then a 2 hour break. Then we get in the water for about 3 hours.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: If you weren’t diving, what would you be doing?<\/h3>\n

Haley:<\/b> I might have stuck to gymnastics.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What do you do on your free time?<\/h3>\n

Haley:<\/b> I do nothing! I try to relax.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What advice would give anyone who wants to be a diver?<\/h3>\n

Haley:<\/b> Have fun and just enjoy it because if you’re not having fun there’s no point in doing it.<\/p>\n

\nPhoto credit Kris Rieser. Front cover picture Peter Bick\/AfterImage Photo<\/i><\/p>\n

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