Ukraine’s Oleksii Sereda Among Nominees for 2025 World Diver of the Year – World Aquatics

Ukrainian diver Oleksii Sereda has been named one of the five nominees for the 2025 World Diver of the Year Award, according to World Aquatics, the International Federation of Aquatic Sports. 

The Gaze reports this, referring to the organization’s official Instagram post.

The annual award for the best male diver has been presented since 2010. The record holder remains Cao Yuan of China, a four-time Olympic champion with three wins.

Sereda’s inclusion follows an outstanding competitive season in 2025. The 19-year-old Ukrainian captured three gold medals at the European Diving Championships – in the mixed team event, 10-metre platform, and 10-metre synchronized categories. 

He also claimed his first-ever world silver medal in the 10-metre platform event and added silver and bronze at the World Cup Super Final, confirming his position among the sport’s elite.

Among Sereda’s rivals for the global title are Cassiel Rousseau of Australia, the reigning award holder and 2025 world champion; Osmar Olvera of Mexico, who broke China’s 18-year dominance in the 3-metre springboard; and Chinese Olympic champions Wang Zongyuan and Cao Yuan.

For Sereda, this is his first appearance among the world’s top five divers. In 2023, he was already recognized as Europe’s Best Diver of the Year, an early sign of his growing international stature.

The winner of the 2025 World Diver of the Year Award will be selected based on combined results of fan voting and the decision of the Nomination Committee, World Aquatics said.

As The Gaze previously reported, Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh has been shortlisted for the title of Female Athlete of the Year 2025 by European Athletics.