A wild ride, but Colturi won't change a thing

With his Maggi-noodles locks and infectious smile, David Colturi is one of the most recognisable faces in high diving.

- Melvyn Teoh

The American's affable nature belies his eventful life, having started diving at just five years old before joining the circus in his 20s, when he set himself on fire for fire-diving performances.

Now 36, he admits that some might look at him and think that he is "crazy", but he would not change a thing.

"It's been a wild ride," he told The Straits Times at Sentosa's Palawan Green, where he is taking part in the World Aquatics Championships' (WCH) high diving competition from July 24 to 27.

"I think to the everyday person who looks at us jumping from 27 metres or higher and the stunts that I've done, most people are going to say, 'Crazy, would never do it'."

"But most of us in the sport are calculated risk takers. We don't go up there unless we know that we're going to be able to do what we do, and do it safely and do it again, again and again.

"It's a lifetime of dedication to training, physically, mentally, emotionally, being able to handle the pressure, the fear, all of it.

"It's a lot of sacrifice and a lot of work. So, when I look back on my career, some crazy stuff absolutely, and I'm thankful for those moments."