Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland has officially become the greatest cliff diver of all time after winning the penultimate event of the season in Mostar, in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The 34-year-old from Newcastle arrived at the historic bridge knowing that victory on Saturday local time from the 21m platform would seal her 10th World Series title in a row and 48th victory of her career.
An estimated 23,000 fans turned out across three days of competition to see Iffland tally 363.20 points, finishing ahead of Canada’s Molly Carlson (361.60) and Australian Xantheia Pennisi (345.80) to again lift the King Kahekili Trophy.
Pennisi’s 10th career podium came thanks to a personal best total score, while Stella Forsyth (276.15), the third Australian participating, came 10th in the 12-woman field.
Rhiannan Iffland is now a commanding 27 points ahead of her nearest rival in the standings. (Getty Images: Dean Treml)
“I’m super stoked, and I guess it’s time to process and then celebrate,” said Iffland, who entered the final round just 1.6 points ahead of Carlson in sweltering conditions.
“I knew deep down in my heart that it wasn’t going to be an easy one today. I knew Molly wasn’t going to leave without putting up a good fight.”
Iffland’s triumph — her 48th in 59 stops — moved her to 77 points after four of the five stops on tour, an unassailable 27 clear of Carlson, with compatriot Pennisi (35) fifth.
The win — thanks to a stunning inward three somersaults half twist tuck dive into the Neretva River — also moved Iffland ahead of Englishman Gary Hunt on the all-time wins list.
It is the third time she has wrapped up the title with a stop to spare.
Romania’s Constantin Popovici (right) joined Australia’s Rhiannon Iffland in celebrations after winning the men’s event in Mostar. (Getty Images: Romina Amato)
“Forty-eight out of 50-something starts, it’s nuts,”
the five-time high diving world champion added.
“But I guess the recipe really comes down to passion, and drive and hard work. There is no secret recipe to being so consistent. Practice, practice, practice, and it paid off for me.”
The men’s event was won by Romania’s Constantin Popovici, who edged out Britain’s Aidan Heslop and James Lichenstein of the United States.
Heslop leads the standings on 68 points, followed by Lichtenstein (57) and Popovici (55).
Divers now have an extended two-month break before the final event of the 2026 calendar takes place in Polignano a Mare, Italy — the home of European cliff diving — from September 27.
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