Red Bull Cliff Diving: Hunt and Iffland Take Philippines Wins

Record champions start the new season in style with dominant performances in El Nido.

The 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series made a breathtaking return in El Nido, Palawan, where diving legends and rising stars launched into the season against the stunning backdrop of Lagen Island’s Blue Lagoon.

Marking his first victory in three years, France’s Gary Hunt climbed back to the top of the men’s podium. The 10-time champion, competing as a wildcard this season after stepping away to focus on his Olympic dream, delivered a show-stopping Back 3 Somersaults 4 Twists Free in the final round. “I feel great, I can’t wait to tell my wife,” said the 40-year-old. “We’ve been traveling the last six months and I’ve only had a few training sessions. If I didn’t perform here, that could’ve been it for the season — but now they’re going to have to invite me back.”

Joining him on the podium were fellow wildcard Jonathan Paredes of Mexico, who earned his best finish since 2019 in second place, and Romania’s Constantin Popovici in third. This marked the first time in Red Bull Cliff Diving history that two wildcard entries secured the top two spots, also making it the oldest average podium ever recorded in the series.

In the women’s division, the unstoppable Rhiannan Iffland of Australia once again proved her dominance. With a flawless performance from the 21-meter platform, she clinched her 42nd win in just 52 starts. “I’m super happy and honestly relieved,” shared the 33-year-old. “I wasn’t feeling too confident coming in, but I got it done. This place is beautiful yet challenging — experience really counts here.”

Iffland was joined by two promising talents making their full-time debuts on the tour. American Kaylea Arnett impressed with a second-place finish, her fourth podium in just six starts. Ukraine’s 18-year-old Nelli Chukanivska, who also finished third in last year’s finale, completed the podium once again.

Beyond the medals, Iffland and Popovici each picked up bonus championship points for the best dives of the competition. Iffland delivered an Inward 3 Somersaults ½ Twist Tuck to seal her win, while Popovici nailed a technical Forward 2 Somersaults ½ Twist Pike in round two.

After three thrilling days of competition, the cliff diving elite will now take a short break before the next stop in Polignano a Mare, Italy — the heart of European cliff diving — at the end of June.

El Nido Results – Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2025

🏆 WOMEN

1. Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) – 352.95 pts
2. Kaylea Arnett (USA) – 320.65
3. Nelli Chukanivska (UKR) – 313.80
4. Meili Carpenter (USA) – 280.20
5. Molly Carlson (CAN) – 279.65

🏆 MEN

1. Gary Hunt (FRA) – 422.10 pts
2. Jonathan Paredes (MEX) – 381.90
3. Constantin Popovici (ROU) – 381.15
4. Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) – 353.35
5. Carlos Gimeno (ESP) – 339.10

📊 OVERALL STANDINGS (After 1 of 4 Stops)

WOMEN:

1. Rhiannan Iffland – 21 pts
2. Kaylea Arnett – 16 pts
3. Nelli Chukanivska – 13 pts

MEN:

1. Gary Hunt – 20 pts
2. Jonathan Paredes – 16 pts
3. Constantin Popovici – 14 pts

Stay tuned for more heart-stopping action as the series continues in Italy!

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