#OurAthletes: Meet Montreal diver Maxim Bouchard - Action News
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#OurAthletes: Meet Montreal diver Maxim Bouchard

Maxim "Max" Bouchard has won four consecutive national diving titles, and is aiming for Rio 2016.

Bouchard will compete at the Pan Am Games in the 10-metre individual diving event

Maxim Bouchard competes during a semifinal round of the men's 10-meter platform event at the USA Diving Grand Prix, Thursday, May 9, 2013, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee/The Associated Press)

Maxim "Max"Bouchard started diving thanks to his brother Raphal. Maxim'smom brought him along to watch Raphal's diving practices, and soonMax joined his brother in the pool. Since then, he's won four consecutive national titles.

Here is a little more aboutMaximBouchard:

Where he's from

Maxim grew up in St-Constant on Montreal's South Shore.

His inspiration to start diving was his brother Raphal. After seeing a commercial featuring Olympian Annie Pelletier, Raphal convinced their mother to put him in diving class.

Maxim's mother used to take him to his brother's practices but he was too much of a busy body to sit quietly in the grandstands, so she threw him in the pool with Raphal.

Maxim quickly fell in love with the sport and since then has been chasing his Olympic dream.

As a teenager Maxim honed his diving skills in the sport-tude program at Antoine-de-Satin-ExupryCEGEPin Montreal North.

He took those skills to the Philippines in 2010 to compete in diving shows, but an injury cut short his performing career.

Since returning to Canada, he's won four consecutive national diving titles.

Where he is

Injuries have defined Maxim's lead up to the Pan Am Games. He had shoulder surgery in September and just two months ago, he broke his foot. He's also struggled with a tendonitis in his shoulder and knee.

For now his training is all about getting healthy. A typical day consists of one diving session in the morning, followed by physiotherapy sessions and two weight training workouts.

Where he's going

Max is set to restart full training next week and he expects to be in top form for the Pan Am Games where his goal is to reach the podium.

In August, it's off to Kazan, Russia to compete in the 2015 FINAWorld Championships.

Both the Pan Am and the World Championships represent an opportunity for him to earn Canada a spot in the 2016 Olympics.


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