3 minute read
Sport
DIVE IN
Massimo Leopardi on becoming a diving champion, aged 50
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I went vegan in 2008 when I was 45 years old, during a stay in a health retreat in northern Italy. A few years later I decided to launch a series of videos in which I would attempt to show viewers that I could not only be healthy and strong on a vegan diet at 50, but that I could compete at a high level.
I chose the sport of diving – my old love which I had given up after an accident when I was 11 years old. I looked for the best diving school and decided to attend the school of a former great Olympic champion, Klaus Dibiasi, located in Rome. My challenge and I were welcomed with open arms, and in no time I got back in shape and was ready to face the first few competitions.
Strong motivation
A combination of factors helped me to become proficient in a short space of time. Firstly, the love of diving had never left me. Additionally, I have many years of trampoline experience, which is a sport that has a lot of similarities to diving. I had a very strong motivation to demonstrate to everyone that a vegan diet could allow me to excel in sport. Last but not least, I believe that veganism has given me a real metabolic advantage compared to my non-vegan competitors.
A good diver needs many qualities to succeed. You need to be a strong and harmonious athlete who can command an explosive force and extreme flexibility. The movement of the diver takes place in just a few seconds, but in those moments a very high dose of concentration, courage and power are needed. Not to mention the nerve to perform when all eyes are on you. A diver also needs to be able to make mistakes – to fall, but get back up again and continue to the end.
Preparation for a diving competition must be both mental and physical. Young high-level athletes train every day, but I find that two training sessions in the water per week are enough for me. I couple this with visualising my dives when
I’m at home, or even when I’m on the bus or out walking my dog. If there is no one around I move my arms or bend my legs, but if I’m not alone then I just visualise them in my head.
In recent years I have also started practising meditation regularly. I meditate twice a day for at least 30 minutes, and I find that this helps me a lot.
Absolute magic As a sport, diving has many wonderful moments. I love to perform twists, especially in addition to backwards rotations. It is an extraordinary sensation to fly into the air, twist like a top and then suddenly enter the water without splashing. When I have completed a successful dive, I enjoy the moment of quiet and calm when rising back to the surface of the pool – it’s a moment of absolute magic.
I’m very proud to be counted among top-level vegan sportspeople. Perhaps my greatest achievement is having participated in all five specialties at the World Masters Championships in Kazan, and to have been on the podium all five times to receive three silver and two bronze medals.
As well as through sport, I promote veganism through my work. In 2008 I founded an online magazine, Veggie Channel. We deal with all aspects of vegan philosophy including anti-speciesism, environmental ethics and animal experimentation. We create videos, articles, live shows, comic sketches, interviews, documentaries and more. The channel is currently mainly in Italian, but we have many videos in English and other languages.
The next challenge
Currently, diving is suspended due to Covid-19, so I’m looking forward to resuming my training. I am hoping to compete in the next World Championships in Japan, and this time I hope for a gold medal. Please cheer for me and follow my challenge!
Follow Massimo’s journey on his Facebook page, Atleta Vegano Massimo Leopardi, and visit his website veggiechannel.com.
Massimo: going for gold at the next World Championships
