COUCH Tonia < Back  
Sport Diving
CGA England   
Gender Women
Born 20 May 1989 in Plymouth, ENG
Height1.62 m
Weight 58 kg
Human Interest
General Interest
Injuries She dislocated her knee in January 2014 but was back in competitive action in April 2014. (bbc.co.uk, 25 Apr 2014)

She suffers from recurring tendinitis in her right knee, a problem that limited her preparations ahead of the 2011 British Championships in Leeds, England. (thisisdevon.co.uk, 14 Jun 2011; dailymail.co.uk, 18 Jul 2011)

She moved from gymnastics to diving after dislocating her elbow in 2000. (English Aquatics Team Media Guide, 2010)
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport? She used to do gymnastics but broke her elbow in a competition. Doctors thought that her elbow wouldn't be able to bear weight again so she looked for another sport. "It [the transition from gymnastics] was hard, there are similarities but it’s still very different, so it was hard to change my technique, but I soon picked it up."
General Interest
Hero / Idol Canadian diver Emilie Heymans. (swimming.org, 28 Jul 2013)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport? She began diving at age 10.
International Debut
Year 2005
Competing for Great Britain
General Interest
Nicknames Twainy, Tonnie, Tonnikins (Athlete, 20 Mar 2007; dailymail.co.uk, 30 Jul 2008)
Sporting philosophy / motto "To have fun and enjoy yourself. If you enjoy what you do, you work hard." (swimming.org, 28 Jul 2013)
Further Personal Information
Higher education Sport Studies - John Kitto Community College: Plymouth, ENG
Languages English
General Interest
Other information RETIREMENT
She retired from the sport in November 2017. (bbc.com, 21 Nov 2017)