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Sports

UH diver looks for a repeat at World

Pozdniakova dives with flair into college, rapid Championship waters

by LOURDES CASTILLO
The Daily Cougar

Successful and well-known diver Anastasia Pozdniakova from Elektrostal, Russia has traveled the world but likes the idea of living her dream in the United States after she obtains her degree in studio arts-interior design.

"I plan on staying (in the United States) and just get a job being a designer," Pozdniakova said. "I've wanted to be a designer since I was 12 years old."

But it hasn't always been Pozdniakova's dream to become a successful diver. She began diving at the age of 7 but has only focused on competitive diving since she was 13 years old.

"I'm not sure what got me into diving. I guess I just liked the sport," Pozdniakova said. "I did synchronized swimming for about two years, then went back to diving."

Pozdniakova was attracted to UH because of the athletics program and said she remembers being recruited by diving coach Jane Figueiredo. 

"I like the athletics program here and the fact that universities (in the United States) have athletic programs," Pozdniakova said. "In Russia, you can dive for a club or something like that but not a university.

"I had been (in the United States) before for the International Grand Prix, and coach Figueiredo saw me and recruited me."

Pozdniakova had no problem adjusting to a new culture. The 20-year-old lives in Houston alone but goes back to her hometown every summer. 

"Russia is very different," she said. "I miss Russian food, my friends and my family. 

"(Adjusting) really hasn't been a problem for me. I like living by myself. I'm not a very family-oriented person, but I still miss my family."

However, Pozdniakova said she has found some things about UH she doesn't like. She said she wishes she didn't have to attend class everyday.

"In high school (in Russia), you could miss school," she said. "You didn't go to school if you had (diving) meets. It really wasn't required to go to school as long as you had good grades. 

"Here, you have to go to class, and if you don't, it affects your grade. But I'm getting used to it."

Pozdniakova said she enjoys traveling and drawing.

"I've been to a lot of countries in Europe, China, Korea and Mexico because of diving," she said. "I draw a lot, just anything that comes to mind. I like shopping, too. It's better here because there are so many stores to choose from."

Pozdniakova said one of her most memorable diving experiences was qualifying for the World Championships and the European Championships in this past summer.

"In order to qualify, I had to get first or second place," she said. "It was really hard. The first place was an Olympian champion, so for me to get second in the three-meter was really exciting."

In March, Pozdniakova said she hopes to repeat her success in the World Championships and said she hopes to qualify to compete in the NCAA Championships.

"There is a lot of competition from some schools, so I just have to keep practicing to get my dives to be better," she said. 

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