By MARK REY MONTEJO
EL NIDO – Romanian Constantin Popovici produced another strong performance to stay well ahead in men’s category while Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland seized the limelight in the women’s division of the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Saturday, April 12, here.
Like the beauty of the Small Lagoon on Miniloc Island,, Popovici’s performance was very artistic as he combined grace and power to the cheers of the highly-charged spectators, who like everybody else, braved the searing summer heat.
His performance – a Forward 3 Somersaults ½ Twist in Pike – was so convincing he earned 94.50 points for a two-round total of 171.50 total.
“It was a good start. I’ve been working hard on my barani [entry maneuver] technique, and I hope to keep it up,” Popovici said.
“When I was here last, six years ago, I was so focused on training and competition. I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to come back again and dive from the cliffs, so this time I took my time to enjoy it,” he added.
Mexican Jonathan Paredes climbed up to second with 164.85 points while Ukrainian Oleksiy (164.10), sport legend French Gary Hunt (157.40), and American James Lichtenstein (149.45) barge inside the Top Five.
Meanwhile, eight-peat seeking Iffland stamped her class and regained the women’s side lead despite Canada’s Molly Carlson scare after stumbling in the first stage.
Iffland showed her veteran poise and performed a Required Reverse Flying 1 Somersault dive to secure 57.2 points enough to grab the drivers’ seat.
Canadians Molly Carlson (131.8 and Simone Leathead (119.9) listed 68.9 points but it wasn’t enough to propel them ahead of the Australian multi-champion.
Filipino-Australian Xantheia Pennissi stayed at seventh spot with 112 total points after tallying 55.9 and 56,1 in the first and second rounds, respectively.
