Scott our youngest Commonwealth Games athlete

ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post

YOUNGEST: Gabrielle Armstrong-Smith.

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Gabe Armstrong-Scott has created sporting history before she hits the pool.

The St Catherine's College pupil, 13, will become New Zealand's youngest Commonwealth Games athlete when a one-person diving team is named today for the Games in Delhi in October.

The Wellington girl will be 14 years and five weeks old when the Games begin on October 3. Gymnast Nikki Jenkins, had been the youngest – 14 years, seven months at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

Armstrong-Scott learned of her selection while watching The Karate Kid at the movies with her mum, Mary Scott.

"I knew the selectors were meeting today so all day I was sitting by the phone, crossing my fingers," Armstrong-Scott said. "It was really nerve-racking waiting for the call so I went to the movies to take my mind off it but I kept checking my phone in the movies.

"I opened my phone in there and I saw 10 missed calls and I thought, `Oh my God, this must be it' so I went outside and the phone went again, telling me I was in. It was amazing. We left the movies straight away."

Armstrong-Scott will compete in the 10m platform and 1m springboard and believes a top-six finish is possible.

"I've kind of had a Commonwealth Games obsession the last couple of months. I've been looking at the old results and comparing them with mine and I've come to the conclusion I think I'm quite up there."

Armstrong-Scott trains 22 hours a week, is doing maths classes above her year 10 status and has been playing piano and violin for eight years.

New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general Barry Maister said Armstrong-Scott was not being thrown in at the deep end. "She will have someone with her for support from the diving fraternity and we have an understanding team culture so she will be well looked after."

- © Fairfax NZ News