Grace Brammer and Bailey Heydra emerged as the dominant forces at the 2026 Bombela Concession Company SA Diving Championships, going head-to-head across the springboard events and sharing the honours in Boksburg, Gauteng, from 11 to 15 April 2026.
Brammer claimed the 3 metre title with Heydra close behind, while Heydra turned the tables to secure gold in the 1m, with Brammer finishing second.
The American-based duo, who are both studying kinesiology, produced an exceptionally high standard of diving, with both scoring over 300 points in the 3m event. Also USA-based, Zalika Methula secured the bronze medal in both events.
“I came first in the 1m event last year. However, 3m is my preferred board, so it meant a lot to me this year.”
2026 SA 3-Metre Diving Champion, Grace Brammer
“The 3m competition involved a preliminary, semi-final and final with cumulative scoring, and this format requires divers to remain consistent throughout. I achieved a 25-point lead in the preliminary, which helped calm my nerves and remain focused for the semi-final and final,” added Brammer, the 20-year-old Pennsylvania State University student.
“Nationals is always a highlight of my year, and after competing in this competition for 10 years, I feel a sense of huge accomplishment to win against the country’s top divers. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.”
For University of Nevada student Heydra, who hadn’t had the best build-up to the event after struggling with flu, this competition was particularly special because of the rivalry with Brammer.
“It was a really, really fun competition! Grace and I were great competitors against each other, and what’s been absolutely awesome is having to fight against her for the titles dive-for-dive,” said Heydra. “Last year she won the 1m and I won the 3m, and this year it’s kind of flipped around, so I won the 1m and she won the 3m, and honestly both of the events were absolutely spectacular events, so it was just a great time overall. I love fighting dive-for-dive, it kind of lights up a fire inside you.”
“To be honest, I do not know the last time South Africa as a country had two divers scoring above 300 points in a 3m final.”
2026 SA 1-Metre Diving Champion, Bailey Heydra
“That’s a very good score, even on a world-class stage, and I think it means that we’re moving in the right direction as a sport, and hopefully we can get two berths for the next Olympic Games,” said Heydra. “That’s the goal.”
Bailey Heydra was disappointed to have missed out on the 3m synchro event, where she was due to line up alongside Methula, with whom she competed at last year’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. The 22-year-old had to withdraw after the recurrence of a strained intercostal muscle.
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere for Swimming SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: One-Metre Springboard Diving Champion Bailey Heydra (centre) is flanked by Zalika Methula (left, bronze medal) and Grace Brammer (silver) at the 2026 Bombela Concession Company SA Diving Championships in Boksburg, Gauteng, from 11 to 15 April 2026. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Grace Brammer (centre, gold medal) on the podium alongside Heydra (right, silver) and Zalika Methula (bronze) on the 3-metre springboard podium.
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