Matthew Mitcham on winning Diving gold at Beijing 2008

To put this in a bit more perspective, Mitcham scored 106.40 in the semis. This was also the highest single dive score in Olympic history. In order to take the gold he needed 107.30 on his final dive. Completely unprecedented. He ended up with 112.10, not only beating his PB but completely smashing the record. Zhou certainly helped by completely fluffing his dive, but Mitcham still needed to execute a near perfect dive to take the gold. He did so and became only the second Australian male to win an Olympic diving Gold, the first since 1924. Amazing stuff.

One of the most underrated moments of the decade

His win denied a complete Chinese sweep of the diving events in 2008.

I know nothing about diving and how they get scores, but that last dive was amazing the entry was perfect, there was practically no splash.

"The crowd went bananas" 😂😂🍌🍌

"And well, that was a pretty 'shmick' dive." Only Aussies, only Aussies.

He is so pleasant and eloquent. Great job!

Can't believe it's 10 years ago but I remembered watching that live. I was only 10 years old and didn't really understand how precious that medal means to him. Nor I knew at that time that china is dominating in diving and beating the dominating country in the olympics is really something! I remembered he was crying after he knew that he came up first at his last dive, now watching this, I am so absolutely proud of what he had did to get that gold medal :') much respect to him.

I remember seeing this footage and thinking it was one of the most inspirational examples of athletism ever recorded. Mitcham's infectious personality and technical precision encourage me in so many ways - and I barely even swim!

I was praying for him on live telecast even I'm an American, then I was so proud.

This, for me, is up there with Kathy Freeman's 400m win and the Men's 4 x 100 freestyle relay at the Sydney Olympics.....it's just sensational! The Chinese were dominating the diving at Beijing, threatening to clean sweep the entire competition then along came Mitcham with a virtually perfect diving exhibition to deny them. So sweet!! The final dive was as close to perfection as any dive in history! Matthew Mitcham.....you are an Olympic Legend!

As a chinese australian, watching him dive made me very happy

The second and the final dive. Immaculate.

25 million of us Aussies, and we're always flicking the ear of greatness hoping to see those ahead of us break under pressure. Whilst we don't go to schools on kangaroos like others want you to believe, Steve Hooker could jump pretty high with a stick. We might be born from a colony of people running from the law, but Sally Pearson could run quick and jump over hurdles in her way. The majority of us may be confused by the concept of ice, but Steven Bradbury could at least stay on his feet whilst others were being swept off theirs. And whilst we'll always go on about how we technically won the 2006 World Cup (since we could have beaten Italy), we too can pull off some awesome dives. G'day from upside-down-land!

Honestly made me cry a little bit

What an amazing achievement. Matthew, I have watched this video several times and always feel exhilarated. That last dive???? My God! Human perfection. You are inspirational.

Not only he was the most underrated diver of the decade but it was this Australian Matthew Mitcham that prevented China from a complete sweep of all the diving golds at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The all conquering Chinese divers were expected to sweep all the diving golds at stake and they did that with the women's. But it was Matthew Mitcham whose final dive which garnered him more than a 100 points that shattered China's hopes of a clean sweep of all the diving golds. Mitcham had best hoped only for a bronze but he surpassed himself by clinching the gold.

I was so enchanted by MM with his beautiful diving and the interviews afterwards (even one in French!), I saved them all. I look at them every once in a while and still marvel at what this lovely lad has done.

He's the cutest

Who's the peanuts awarding 9's for that last dive... perfection..