Aug. 18, 2008
Former Arizona State diver Joona Puhakka kept his dream of medaling at the Olympic Games alive as he moved past the preliminary round of the 3-meter springboard. Puhakka, who is representing his native Finland for his third straight Olympic Games, qualified for the semi-finals by placing fifth in the preliminaries with a score of 469.45. Puhakka is coached by ASU diving coach and 1988 U.S. Olympian Mark Bradshaw.
Puhakka was a four-time NCAA Champion while at Arizona State. He won the 3-meter in 2004 and 2005 and took the 1-meter title in 2003 and 2005. Puhakka placed 14th and narrowly missed qualifying for the finals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. He placed 30th at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.