Yona Knight-Wisdom is a retired professional diver, best known for his resilience and performance-driven mindset. He made history as the first male diver to represent Jamaica at the Olympics and ended his competitive career with four international silver medals. Though no longer competing, Yona remains deeply involved in the sport as an Athlete Mentor for the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and a Diving Consultant for Aquatics GB, where he helps develop international-level divers. He has also entered the world of keynote speaking, bringing his extensive experience in elite sporting, ambition, and leadership to inspire and motivate a range of audiences, from schools to organisations to individuals.
Born a miracle IVF baby to his Barbadian mother, Grace, and Jamaican father, Trevor, Yona’s sporting journey began at age nine after being inspired by the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He joined a talent identification programme at Leeds Diving Club, and by 2011, had chosen to honour his father's heritage by representing Jamaica on the international stage.
With the support of Dragons’ Den star, Levi Roots, Yona’s career took him around the world, competing at three Olympic Games – Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 – as well as the Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, and World Aquatics Championships, to name but a few. Despite his many successes, he faced his share of heartbreaks, narrowly missing the 2024 Olympic final by just 3.8 points.
Yona’s passion for the sport continues through coaching and mentoring. He’s spent over a decade supporting young divers as an Athlete Mentor for the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and Diving Consultant for Aquatics GB. He also serves on the PanAm Aquatics Athletes Committee, championing positive change in the sport. Through the YKW Diving Academy, he has delivered two successful diving camps, aiming to nurture a new generation of Jamaican athletes.
Beyond the pool, Yona has taken his story to the stage as a speaker. He recently delivered a keynote to 1,600 students at his former school, The Grammar School at Leeds, and is set to speak at TEDx Imperial College in June 2025. Yona’s sessions involve a stimulating exploration of his journey against all odds to the pinnacle of diving; an introduction to his AIMS Framework to inspire personal growth; and actionable insights on how to be ambitious, utilise the power of imagery, embrace the athlete mindset, and increase self-belief. When booked for events, Yona brings an energy, wisdom, and lasting impact for every audience he reaches.
Yona Knight-Wisdom's official speaking topics are listed below:
- A Stimulating Exploration of My Journey Against All Odds to the Pinnacle of Diving.
- An Introduction to My AIMS Framework to Inspire Personal Growth.
- Actionable Insights on How Your Audience Can: Be Ambitious; Utilise the Power of Imagery; Embrace the Athlete Mindset; and Increase Self-Belief.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events:
"We were delighted to welcome Yona back to GSAL. His journey from our classrooms to the global stage is truly inspiring. He is a shining example of what can be achieved with dedication and determination. Yona's story will no doubt inspire our pupils to aim high in their own passions and pursuits.” - Principal, The Grammar School at Leeds
“It was absolutely fantastic to connect with London Aquatics Centre and deliver the final session of our programme in such an inspirational environment. We were so fortunate to be joined by Yona Wisdom-Knight, who helped arrange this visit, and who shared his experience of competing at the Olympics and what it took to get there with our young people. He also gave some invaluable insights on resilience, taking opportunities and following your passion which fit perfectly with the content we’ve delivered to students during the programme." Ewan, Behind Every Kick
- 2025 – Diving Consultant at Aquatics GB
- 2025 – Announced retirement from competitive diving
- 2024 – Participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- 2023 – Participated in the Pan American Games
- 2023 – Graduated with a PGCert in International Sports Management from the University of London
- 2022 – Completed an ILM qualification in Coaching & Mentoring
- 2022 – Came fifth and sixth in the Commonwealth Games
- 2020 – Participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
- 2020 – Athlete Mentor at Dame Kelly Holmes Trust
- 2019 – Won silver in the Pan American Games
- 2019 – Dive Coach at Edinburgh Leisure
- 2018 – Professional Diver at Edinburgh Diving Club
- 2016 – Participated in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, becoming the first male Jamaican diver to take part
- 2016 – Secured silver at the FINA Diving World Cup
- 2016 – Named Sportsman of the Year by Leeds Beckett University
- 2016 – Graduated in Sports & Exercise Science from Leeds Beckett University
- 2015 – Competed in the World Aquatics Championships
- 2014 – Debuted at the Commonwealth Games
- 2011 – Began his diving career with the support of Levi Roots
- 2004 – Began diving at City of Leeds Diving Club
How to hire Yona Knight-Wisdom
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Yona Knight-Wisdom for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
