“I really discovered so much [on SAS], simply little issues I want I had within the instrument equipment earlier as a youthful athlete by way of coping with belongings you’re not ready for. Coping in tense conditions, decision-making, and I believe simply backing your self.
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“As an athlete, you prep for therefore lengthy, and you understand you’ve finished nonetheless many hours … however being thrown within the deep finish and simply winging no matter is thrown at you could be scary. I believe dealing with concern just a little bit and in uncomfortable conditions was a extremely cool expertise.
“I needed to get out of my consolation zone and take a look at myself in a totally totally different situation. Principally, it made me realise you possibly can’t all the time put together for the whole lot, and I used to be very a lot having to study alongside the best way.
“There’s solely a lot you possibly can management … I might deal with issues because it got here my means, however as you become older and extra injured issues are out of your management.”
Wu’s comeback in Brisbane follows a interval during which she feared her again harm might tarnish her Paris ambitions.
It stored her sidelined for a 12 months, lacking the final World Championships.
But, the time away from the pool appears to have rejuvenated her, and he or she has refused to contemplate her 2024 bid a swan tune.
Whereas Wu admits that previously she had struggled to take a step again from coaching and competing, the quantity of ache she was inundated with made it a far simpler determination to placed on the brakes.
Australian divers Charli Petrov and Melissa Wu.Credit score: Getty Photos
Whether or not she will be able to proceed past Paris and push for berths in Los Angeles 2028, and even Brisbane 2032, she stays unsure.
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Because it stands, Wu stated she was considering no additional than qualifying for the World Championships – with the trials starting on December 3 – and her pursuit of an elusive Olympics gold medal.
“Having finished such an extended 12 months we did loads of journey – on and off a airplane, compete, and I used to be in loads of ache once I got here to the Commonwealth Video games,” Wu stated.
“It was nearly a aid it was over as a result of it was such a very long time of journey and competitors main as much as it, and my again was simply finished. It took some time for the ache to go, and I used to be fearful it wouldn’t.
“The method of attending to your peak is lengthy and laborious on the again of an harm, what appeared tremendous simple a 12 months earlier than feels so much more durable.
“Final 12 months it was very a lot compensating for that harm, and I couldn’t deal with method, however having recovered it’s been extra centered on rebuilding the method I felt like I had going into Tokyo.
“Having the ability to qualify for Paris is an enormous objective, and I take into consideration that extra being long-term for me, after which I set targets for these main competitions. It takes a very long time to get there, and it’s important to be actually centered and do all the appropriate issues.”