The young man in the photo above about to dive for England in the Commonwealth Games in 1990 is none other than Jason Statham.
Y’know, the gangster movie star who’s better known for Guy Richie films than donning Speedos? Yep, that Jason Statham.
It may come as a surprise to some, but others will know all about 50-year-old Jason’s diving past.
Even so, with the Commonwealth Games kicking off this week, this little gem is doing the rounds again, as it seems to every four years.
Long before Statham, who has a 10-month-old son with his model girlfriend Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, got into the acting game, he was a professional diver. The 90s’ answer to Tom Daley, if you like.
Jason grew up with a keen interest in sports, doing Kung Fu, kickboxing, karate, football and, of course, diving as a teenager.
Jason would practice his diving techniques daily and was a proud member of Britain’s National Swimming Squad for 12 years.
And 28 years ago, when the Commonwealth Games were in Auckland, Jason was scouted and chosen to compete for England in the 1990 squad by Britain’s national diving team, diving in the 1m, 3m and 10m events.
He ended up finishing eighth in the 1m springboard, 11th in the 3m springboard and 10th in the 10m round.
He has previously spoken of his time on the squad, declaring it
was a ‘great experience’ and he was taught ‘discipline and focus’ and was kept ‘out of trouble’.
Soon after his diving, he was scouted again, this time by fashion heavyweights and the Sports Promotions agency, keen on securing him as a sports model. This paved the way for his modelling career before he then landed his first role in a film – Bacon in 1998’s Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels. Jason is now better known for starring in British action thrillers, playing the part of tough, no-nonsense characters.
Some of his more iconic films are The Transporter, Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels
Perhaps there’s a career in gangster films for Tom Daley, too?
