The clip above shows Jason diving for England … All you need is a speedy exit. 6am - 10am, Can't Take My Eyes Off You Yes, really. Statham actually dived for England at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, competing in the 10 metre, three metre, and one metre contests. He was a Diver on the British National Diving Team and finished twelfth in the World Championships in 1992. Anyway, Jason Statham didn't happen to make it to an Olympics or anything, but he did say in an interview with IGN, "It was a great experience, you know, to travel the world and compete at a certain level. Jason Statham may be one of Hollywood's most in demand action heroes today, but he was once an aspiring diver! Jason Statham was born in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, to Eileen (Yates), a dancer, and Barry Statham, a street merchant and lounge singer. Justin Kirkland is a writer for Esquire, where he focuses on entertainment, television, and pop culture. The Hollywood action hero didn't win a medal at the Games and landed with a splash finishing 8th at the 1 metre springboard event with a paltry score of 487.26 points and 11th in bo… It almost makes up for the fact that his highest mark on his final belly flop pass was a 2.5. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Boxing and martial arts were his main interests before he changed his mind around the age of thirteen. Andy Williams He would practice diving techniques every day, and was also a member of Britain’s National Swimming Squad for 12 years. Download 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' on iTunes, 5 April 2018, 15:39 | Updated: 8 April 2018, 23:01. The 2020 Movies That Are Streaming Online Early, What Happens If Trump Can't Fulfill His Duties, Dickies Work Pants Are the Brand at Its Best, The Turntable to Buy for Killer Sound and Style. He also finished twelfth in the World Championships held in Barcelona in 1992. Where most other divers usually start training at the age of four or five, Statham only began to dive from fifteen. His second pass, which was fine at best, still left quite a lot to be desired. This content is imported from YouTube. He has previously said that it was a "great experience" and that he was taught "discipline and focus". It teaches you discipline, focus, and certainly keeps you out of trouble." Look at that jaw, which could cut me open and steal all my organs like a poorly written heist movie. As we all know, that first dive had way too much forward travel. He finished eighth in the 1m springboard, 11th in the 3m springboard and 10th in the 10m round. But look at that face. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The 20 Spookiest Movies About Ghosts Ever Made, The 'Hillbilly Elegy' Trailer is Not My Appalachia. As a young teenager, Statham was an all round athlete interested in trampolining, high jump, gymnastics, football, tennis and squash. Fair enough, Jason Statham. Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. Megaladons aren't interested in technique; they're interested in blood. What American Murder Left Out of the Story, I Refuse to Believe This Man is Colin Farrell, Here Are the Best Halloween Movies on Netflix, How After Hours Saved Martin Scorsese's Career. Let's break it down. Getty/YouTube I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise that Jason Statham, fictional car drifter and prehistoric shark aficionado, was a professional diver in a past life. Never give up on your dreams, and watch for sharks out there. He competed at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland in 1990 where the then 23-year-old can barely be recognised today due to his head of hair. Now aged 50, The Stath has appeared in a host of blockbusters, including Fast & Furious 7 (and 8), the Transporter films and Snatch. However officials at the Edinburgh Diving Club reported that despite his poor performance, Statham was "England's leading light at the Games. A modelling offer from Greece meant financial security and there was no looking back for the heart-throb as he soon went on to star in cult classics like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the Transporter series. He has also been a fashion model, black market salesman and finally of course, actor. Actually, he spent twelve years on the British National Swimming team and competed in the 1990 Commonwealth Games. 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Statham recounts his playing days with nostalgia and remembers how a "silly hobby" changed his life. Jason had a keen interest in Kung Fu, kickboxing, karate, football and diving as a teenager. As the Commonwealth Games kicks off again this week, this throwback clip has been doing the rounds again, and we can't get enough of it. I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise that Jason Statham, fictional car drifter and prehistoric shark aficionado, was a professional diver in a past life. We may earn a commission from these links. The clip above shows Jason diving for England in the Commonwealth Games back in 1990. He competed at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland in 1990 where the then 23-year-old can barely be recognised today due to his head of hair. Jason Statham is an English actor and film producer. Soon after this, he was scouted by the Sports Promotions agency, who hired him as a sports model. Jason was included in the British Diving School in 1985 and was praised for his fearless precision and calm nature as he quickly rose as one of the greatest divers in the country. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Now known for his hardman performances in Hollywood, Jason Statham's steely gaze used to be more commonly found hovering above a swimming pool on the edge of a diving … He would manage his school timings and would spend the rest of the day in Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in Shirebrook,  where Kim White would coach him. Smooth Breakfast with Jenni Falconer Throughout his film career, Statham has regularly performed his own stage combat and stunts. You're out there doing more than most of us during pool season. He singles out the 1990 CWG in New Zealand as being “a great experience”. Jason was included in the British Diving School in 1985 and was praised for his fearless precision and calm nature as he quickly rose as one of the greatest divers in the country. Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.