With nine world championship titles and two Guinness world records to his name, the Colombian cliff diver has proved his tremendous ability over many years, reaching a special position within the high diving scene over the last fifteen years. He was the clear favourite for the World Series 2009 and of course he measured up to expectations. He won three competitions, was off the podium only once and took the overall title. In 2010 the 37-year-old had two new dives in his programme, took six out of six podiums, including one victory and finished second overall. “My plan is to win the title back next year. I will practice a lot, get back to the gym and do my homework,” was The Duke’s immediate reaction, after losing the World Series title to Gary Hunt, “but Gary is going to do exactly the same.” It left no-one in any doubt that the fight for the crown had started right after the last prize-giving in Hawaii.
Orlando began the 2011 season in excellent form, winning both of the first two competitions in Chile and Mexico, before a broken ankle sustained in an unfortunate skydiving accident ended the favourite's chances. Now recuperating following successful surgery, the Colombian is targeting a return to top form once again by the time the 2012 World Series kicks off.
Living on one of the planet’s most idyllic locations in Hawaii, Orlando Duque has a composed and calm personality befitting the islands’ relaxed nature. He knows how to handle stressful situations and is quite aware of his outstanding diving talent. Among the world’s cliff diving elite he is probably the one who can focus best on the challenge ahead and adjust to the various heights, water and weather conditions.
After more than a decade of Olympic diving he made the transition to what he calls “the more natural form of diving.” Duque’s high diving career began in 1995 in Europe where he improved his diving skills, helped at the time by coach Ken Grove, a former Olympic diver and one of the Series’ judges. In his first world championships in 1999, he took second place and so began a hugely successful cliff diving career, the highlight of which saw him become the first World Series Champion at the Series final in Athens, Greece, in September 2009.
