People are just realising Brit Hollywood star used to be a Team GB Olympics hopeful as unrecognisable vid resurfaces
FOOTAGE of a Brit Hollywood star showing his incredible diving talent as a Team GB hopeful has emerged – and left fans baffled.
Actor Jason Statham swapped the diving board for the film set after two attempts to qualify for the Olympics.
Footage has re-emerged of 22-year-old Statham in action – sporting a completely different look to what fans are used to.
The clip shows the Two Smoking Barrels actor nervously wiping his hands on his sides as he smiles out to the audience.
He then stands before closing his eyes – ready to dive off the board.
Footage shows the actor in amazing athletic shape, just as he is now – but also sports a full head of dark hair.
With complete control and arms perfectly straight, Statham walks up to the edge of the board before springing off and flipping numerous times.
He then does two more impressive dives in the clip as onlookers are shown in the background gazing up at him in amazement.
Statham, now 57, competed in the 1m springboard, 3m springboard and 10m platform events.
The Brit actor unbelievably represented England at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Hollywood legend’s best finish saw him place eighth in the 1m springboard alongside a pair of 11th place finishes in the other two events.
He is nowadays known for his bald appearance and greying beard – a stark contrast from his diving days.
As well as his Commonwealth Games appearance, Statham also took part in trials for both the 1988 and 1992 Olympics but failed to qualify.
He previously revealed how he got into the sport.
He said: “I was on holiday in Florida with my mum and dad.
“And there was a guy who used to do a high dive at noon every day from one of the hotels we stayed in. And I say ‘When we get home, I am going to do that.’
“I joined the club then, I was like 11 or 12 years old. Within a year, I was part of the British team and it gained momentum and I spent the next 10 years doing that.”
Statham remains keen on adrenaline sports, enjoying wakeboarding, jet skiing, wind surfing and rock climbing when he is not on set.
The footage quickly circulated on X, formerly Twitter, with fans expressing their disbelief in the comments.
One user said: “I never knew Jason was a professional diver!”
Another read: “He didn’t start diving until he was 15 – at least 7 years AFTER you’re supposed to!”
And: “I can’t help wonder why this is part of what sets him apart from most current male leads.
“He has a sense of self built on accomplishment, not simply a life of make-believe.”
Meanwhile, Team GB picked up their first medal of the Paris Olympics on the diving board.
Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen claimed bronze in the women’s synchronised 3m springboard on Saturday morning.