The centuries-old diving tradition of Bosnia

Associated Press

featured

Aug 3, 2017

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Over 10,000 spectators cheered and let off smoke bombs as they watched 41 daring men take the plunge from the Old Bridge during Mostar’s 451st annual diving competition. AP

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The competitors dove from a bridge 89 feet high into the cold, fast-flowing Neretva River below in front of a panel of judges studying the quality of the dive. AP

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The fall from the top of the bridge to the 15-foot deep river underneath lasts nearly three seconds, with divers picking up a speed of around 50 mph. AP

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At the end of a beautiful Sunday afternoon of diving, 38-year-old Mostar native Lorens Listo claimed his 11th competition victory. AP

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“Every time I compete it is more difficult and every victory is thus sweeter,” Listo said. AP

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In this photograph taken on Sunday, July 30, 2017, a man dives from the Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia, during an annual diving competition that has been drawing crowds for… AP

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Diving or jumping from the bridge, originally built by the Ottomans in 1566, has been a rite of passage for generations of Mostar youngsters. AP

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A diver drops through the air from the Mostar bridge during 451th traditional annual high diving competition, in Mostar, 140 kms south of Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, Sunday, July 30,… AP

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Spectators watch as a diver jumps from the Old Mostar Bridge during 451th traditional annual high diving competition, in Mostar, 140 kms south of Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, Sunday, July… AP

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In this photograph taken on Sunday, July 30, 2017, a man dives from the Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia, during an annual diving competition that has been drawing crowds for… AP

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The event climaxed with participants jumping from the bridge after nightfall with flares in their outstretched hands. AP

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A Bosnian jumper, launches himself while holding burning torches, during traditional night jump from the Old Mostar Bridge, in Mostar, 140 kms south of Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, Sunday, July… AP

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