Haley Ishimatsu was making a name for herself in the sport of gymnastics when an injury took her out of the game. In 2004, Haley switched to Diving even though she had a major fear of heights. For someone who had a phobia, she sure overcame it quickly as her platform diving career took off right away. In 2007, Haley won Pan American Games medals combined with nine top-ten finishes in international competitions and is now a contender for the Gold in Beijing. At only 15 years old, Haley and her synchro platform teammate Mary Beth Dunnichay will join a veteran U.S. Olympic diving team. Haley is one of only 2 women divers who can perform a back 3 1/2 pike, a diver typically reserved for men. Teammate Laura Wilkinson is the second.

Both Asiance cover girls Haley and gymnast Ivana Hong know each other from GymMax, where both used to train in California and are doing a great job representing Asian American women. Read on for our interview with Haley.

ASIANCE: Why did you switch to diving?

Haley: I switched to diving because I wasn't really enjoying it anymore. The hours were getting far too long for me. Then I fractured my elbow. My sister Tori was already in diving so I went into diving.

ASIANCE: What college are you planning to attend?

Haley: I don't know yet. I have a lot of offers.

Here is one dive with Haley

But NBC has ALL Haley's dives here www.nbcolympics.com

ASIANCE: What athletes do you admire?

Haley: I admire Laura Wilkinson. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong with her. And still she has pulled through. I love Michelle Kwan, even though she is the best ice skater in the world. She has never won in the Olympics but she proved herself.

Haley in action

ASIANCE: Who are you trying to beat in Beijing? Who is your competitor?

Haley: I really just have to focus on my own diving. Do my best. If I beat everyone then great!

ASIANCE: What else do you want to do while you are in Beijing?

Haley: Just enjoy the experience.

ASIANCE: What was your training like? And has it been beefed up now?

Haley: We're more in a taper right now before the Olympics. Typical day is, dry land from 7:30am to 10:00am then a 2 hour break. Then we get in the water for about 3 hours.

ASIANCE: If you weren't diving, what would you be doing?

Haley: I might have stuck to gymnastics.

ASIANCE: What do you do on your free time?

Haley: I do nothing! I try to relax.

ASIANCE: What advice would give anyone who wants to be a diver?

Haley: Have fun and just enjoy it because if you're not having fun there's no point in doing it.

Photo credit Kris Rieser. Front cover picture Peter Bick/AfterImage Photo