France’s Gary Hunt made a triumphant return to the top of the podium for the first time in three years, while Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland launched her campaign for a ninth consecutive King Kahekili Trophy with a flawless performance, as the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series opened against the stunning backdrop of El Nido, Philippines.
The season’s opening stop took the sport back to its roots, with three days of competition unfolding on the majestic cliffs surrounding Lagen Island. Divers showcased their boldest and most technical dives from man-made platforms set against the serene beauty of the Blue Lagoon.
Rhiannan Iffland of Australia reacts after diving from the 22 metre platform in the Big Lagoon during the final competition day of the first stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in El Nido, Philippines on April 13, 2025. // Ricardo Nascimento / Red Bull Content Pool
In the men’s division, it was 10-time World Series champion Gary Hunt — competing as a wildcard after stepping away from his permanent spot last season to chase his Olympic dream on home soil — who seized victory. Hunt clinched the win in dramatic fashion, delivering a spectacular Back 3 Somersaults 4 Twists Free dive in the final round.
Gary Hunt of France dives from the 28 metre platform in the Big Lagoon during the final competition day of the first stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in El Nido, Philippines on April 13, 2025. // Ricardo Nascimento / Red Bull Content Pool
Reflecting on his victory, the 40-year-old Hunt said:
“I feel great, I can’t wait to tell my wife. We’ve been travelling the last six months, and I’ve only had maybe eight or nine sessions in the pool since the Olympics. My head was on the chopping block, and if I didn’t do well here, it was goodbye to the season. They’re going to have to invite me back now.”
Joining him on the podium was Mexico’s Jonathan Paredes, who delivered his best performance since 2019 to secure second place, while Romanian standout Constantin Popovici completed the top three. The result marked the first time in the competition’s history that two wildcard entries had finished first and second, and the combined ages of the top three made it the oldest podium lineup ever recorded.
On the women’s side, there were no surprises atop the 21-meter platform as reigning queen Rhiannan Iffland once again underlined her dominance. The 33-year-old Australian delivered a masterful performance, capturing her 42nd win in 52 starts.
Kaylea Arnett (L-R) of the USA, Rhiannan Iffland of Australia and Nelli Chukanivska of the Ukraine celebrate at the Big Lagoon during the final competition day of the first stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in El Nido, Philippines on April 13, 2025. // Romina Amato / Red Bull Content Pool
“I’m super, super happy, and I feel relieved, to be honest,” Iffland said after the competition. “I came in not so confident, I didn’t know if I could do it, and I’ve done it. It’s a beautiful but challenging location, and it shows those who have experience are going to have the upper hand.”
The women’s podium was rounded out by two rising stars, both of whom were making their debut as permanent athletes this season. American Kaylea Arnett, who briefly led the standings after the opening round, secured second place — her fourth podium finish in just six career starts — narrowly edging out 18-year-old Ukrainian Nelli Chukanivska, who repeated her third-place result from last year’s season finale.
Jonathan Paredes (L-R) of Mexico, Gary Hunt of France and Constantin Popovici of Romania celebrate at the Big Lagoon during the final competition day of the first stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in El Nido, Philippines on April 13, 2025. // Romina Amato / Red Bull Content Pool
Beyond podium placements, bonus championship points were awarded for the highest-rated dives of the event. Constantin Popovici earned his with a Forward 2 Somersaults ½ Twist Pike during the second round, while Iffland secured hers with a victory-clinching Inward 3 Somersaults ½ Twist Tuck.
Following three days of exhilarating action, the cliff diving elite will now take a two-month break before returning to Polignano a Mare — widely regarded as the home of European cliff diving — for the second stop of the season, set to take place at the end of June in Italy.
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series — El Nido Results
WOMEN
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Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) – 352.95 pts.
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Kaylea Arnett (USA) – 320.65 pts.
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Nelli Chukanivska (UKR) – 313.80 pts.
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Meili Carpenter (USA) – 280.20 pts.
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Molly Carlson (CAN) – 279.65 pts.
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Simone Leathead (CAN) – 275.90 pts.
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Iris Schmidbauer (W) (GER) – 265.95 pts.
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Xantheia Pennisi (W) (AUS) – 261.40 pts.
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Maria Paula Quintero (W) (COL) – 260.60 pts.
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Elisa Cosetti (ITA) – 255.55 pts.
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Ginni van Katwijk (NED) – 231.00 pts.
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Eleanor Smart (W) (USA) – 223.60 pts.
MEN
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Gary Hunt (W) (FRA) – 422.10 pts.
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Jonathan Paredes (W) (MEX) – 381.90 pts.
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Constantin Popovici (ROU) – 381.15 pts.
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Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) – 353.35 pts.
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Carlos Gimeno (ESP) – 339.10 pts.
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Nikita Fedotov (W) (ARM) – 328.10 pts.
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Yolotl Martinez (MEX) – 313.85 pts.
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Miguel Garcia (W) (COL) – 270.60 pts.
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Braden Rumpit (W) (NZL) – 247.35 pts.
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Catalin Preda (W) (ROU) – 238.30 pts.
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James Lichtenstein (USA) – 219.65 pts.
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Andrea Barnaba (ITA) – DNF
Standings After Round 1 of 4
WOMEN
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Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) – 21 pts.
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Kaylea Arnett (USA) – 16 pts.
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Nelli Chukanivska (UKR) – 13 pts.
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Meili Carpenter (USA) – 10 pts.
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Molly Carlson (CAN) – 8 pts.
MEN
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Gary Hunt (W) (FRA) – 20 pts.
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Jonathan Paredes (W) (MEX) – 16 pts.
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Constantin Popovici (ROU) – 14 pts.
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Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) – 10 pts.
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Carlos Gimeno (ESP) – 8 pts.
