By MARK REY MONTEJO
EL NIDO – Braving the scorching summer heat Romanian Constantin Popovici and American Kaylea Arnett put on aerial stunts that were close to perfection and emerged as early frontrunners in their respective divisions in the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series at the scenic Lagen Island in Palawan Friday, April 11, here.
Without reigning titlist British Aidan Heslop to contend with, Popovici performed his routine confidently, coming through with a mesmerizing Forward 3 Somersault ½ Twist in Pike that earned him the judges’ nod.
Combining power and grace, the Romanian diver accumulated 94.50 points, 5.25 points ahead of American James Lichtenstein (89.25). Spain’s Carlos Gimeno is far behind at third with 84 points.
Heslop earlier withdrew due to injury.
But 10-time champion Gary Hunt of France struggled big time, managing only 67.20 points – tied with Oleksiy Prygorov – at sixth spot in the 12-man field.
Popovici, the 2023 edition winner, has two rounds left to defend his position in the Philippine leg of the annual diving meet that hopes to inspire Filipino youngsters to embrace the sport in the same manner how devoted others are to basketball.
Arnettt was equally awesome, producing a smoother finish to outshine nine-peat seeking Australian Rhiannan Iffland. She tallied 90.1 points while Iffland collected 88.40 points in her Forward 3 Somersault ½ Twist effort.
Ukraine’s Nelli Chuvaniska (79.05), Netherlands’ Ginni Van Katwijk (63.5), and Canada’s Molly Carlson (62.9) completed the Top Five in the distaff side.
Filipino-Australian Xantheia Pennisi, who is one of the four wildcards, could only tally 55.90 points – off a Reverse 1 Somersault – enough only eighth place.
Pennisi was the tournament’s top crowd drawer as she traces her roots to Tarlac.
Pennis and the other competitors will have their chances to bounce back as the competition stages its next two rounds on Small and Big Lagoons of Miniloc Island over the weekend.
