Heslop wins cliff diving opener after back surgery

Aidan Heslop made a triumphant return to the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series by winning the first event of 2026 in Bali, Indonesia.

The 24-year-old Welshman missed the entire 2025 season because of a back injury and rehabilitation but showed he is still at the top of his game with an impressive performance at the Kroya Waterfall and Kelingking Beach.

Heslop worked his way to the top of the standings in round three, before delivering with the last dive of the day in round four – a forward four somersaults 3½ twists pike.

The dive's 5.9 degree of difficulty earned the biggest single-dive score of the event from the judges at 141.60 as Heslop topped the standings with a combined score of 419.85, ahead of Mexico's Jonathan Paredes (379.7) and American James Lichtenstein (371.2).

"It's been a long time coming, and I can say it's probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, to spend time away from one of the hardest sports in the world, but it feels amazing," Heslop, the 2024 champion, told the Red Bull website.

"I did that last dive and I just felt joy, relief, everything at one time.

"I had a little tear on the jet ski, because this moment just means so much to me, and I'm really happy that I'm back... I can't even put into words how happy I am."