Her father, Hap, a Sydney physiotherapist, is Chinese and moved to Australia when he was 13
http://www.olympics.com.au/Athletes/TheTeam/tabid/343/Athletes/TheTeam/tabid/344/Default.aspx?cId=33338&teamId=4
Education
Secondary Education
Christian Outreach College, QLD
Major Injuries
Suffered a supracondylar frature to left humerus with subsequent nerve damage while training on the Gold Coast in 2003.
Career Highlights
Winning a silver medal for my country at the 2007 FINA World Championships.
Winning a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
Recent Performances
2nd (10m) - 2008 FINA Diving Grand Priz (Rostock, Germany)
1st (10m platform); 2nd (10m synchro platform) - 2008 Canada Cup Grand Prix (Montreal, Canada)
11th (10m); 3rd (10m synchro) - 2008 FINA World Cup (Beijing, China)
2nd (10m synchro) - 2007 World Championships (Melbourne, Australia)
3rd (10m); 5th (3m) - 2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival (Sydney, Australia)
1st (10m-Junior B) - 2006 World Junior Diving Championships (Kuala Lumpar, Malasyia)
Interesting Facts
At just 142cm in height and at 37kgs, pintsized Melissa burst onto the diving scene at the 2006 Commonwealth Games trials when she nailed a perfect 10 score and claiming the National title as Australia’s youngest diver ever. She competed at those Games at the age of 13, the youngest member of an Australian Commonwealth Games Team, since 12-year-old swimmer Dimity Douglas in 1982. In the same year she gained an AIS scholarship.
Melissa started diving in 2002 when she was 10, having dabbled in swimming and gymnastics. The following year in 2003 she broke her arm whilst dry land trampoline training and sustained permanent nerve damage in two fingers, leaving her without feeling and intermittent elbow pain. She was out of the water for approximately six months.
She holds the 2006 and 2007 Australian title in the 10m platform and the 2008 10m synchro event.
Melissa will make her Olympic debut in Beijing as the youngest Australian diver ever to qualify for the Olympics. She will compete in the 10m platform as well as the 10m platform synchronised with Briony (Bree) Cole. Melissa draws her inspiration to compete from the Chinese divers.
She plays the piano and drums and also writes stories and music. Melissa is home schooled to allow for her training regime and competition.
Jana Rawlinson is Melissa’ second cousin and her sister Emily has competed in swimming at the national level.
Beijing will be a \'special Games\' for Melissa. Her father, Hap, a Sydney physiotherapist, is Chinese and moved to Australia when he was 13. She has been to China several times.
Childhood ambition To represent Australia in Diving
Proudest Moment Being accepted into the Australian Institute of Sport
Favourite Food Chocolate
Perfect holiday Never had one
Dream car Porsche
Finest sportsperson Chantelle Newbery
Best sport team Australian Diving Team
Inspiration The Chinese divers
Motto Strong minds suffer without complaining; weak minds complain without suffering.
Star sign Taurus
Tattooes/Piercings Ears
I began this sport . . . in 2002 because it interested me
Participation in other sports Swimming, Gymnastics
Famous relative Jana Rawlinson (Pittman) is my second cousin
When I am not training/competing I am . . . Spending time with friends & sleeping
