Rhiannan Iffland of Australia gives interviews after winning in the Big Lagoon during the final competition day of the first stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in El Nido, Philippines on April 13, 2025. Red Bull

EL NIDO, Palawan -- There was no changing of the guard just yet in the women's division of the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, as Australia's Rhiannan Iffland proved herself a cut above the rest once more in El Nido.

Six years after winning the inaugural El Nido leg of the cliff diving contest, Iffland again emerged triumphant in their return with a pair of strong dives in the last two rounds at the Big Lagoon. 

"I'm not getting any younger," the 33-year-old Iffland told reporters on Saturday, after taking a slim lead after the second round at the Small Lagoon. "I'm really looking forward to what's coming in the next years. Maybe there'll be a changing of the guard. Who knows?"

On Sunday, Iffland leaned on her years of experience to turn back a pair of contenders in Day 1 leader Kaylea Arnett of the United States and 18-year-old Ukrainian Nelli Chukanivska to claim top honors in the El Nido leg.

READ: Popovici stays in control, Iffland soars on Day 2 of El Nido cliff diving

Iffland set the tone for the day with a dive that had a 4.4 degree of difficulty (DD) -- tied for the highest of the day. She executed it superbly, garnering three scores of 8.0 from the judges to solidify her hold on the top spot.

Her final dive, worth 3.7 DD, saw the Australian pull off an inward three somersaults with one-half twist. It got a pair of 9s and a 9.5 that all but sealed her spot at the top of the podium. Iffland finished the El Nido leg with a total of 352.95 points.

"That was a big win for me. I wasn't really sure that I can do it. The training was a bit up and down in the last few weeks. Just super stoked to finish it off like that and take the top of the podium again here in the Philippines. I couldn't be happier," said Iffland.

Arnett, who fell to No. 4 after Day 2, roared back into contention by claiming the top score in the fourth round. With a dive worth 4.1 DD, she got scores of two 8.5s and an 8.0 from the judges, allowing her to move back to second place with a total of 320.65 points

Chukanivska showed her potential by completing the podium, compiling 313.80 points after four rounds of diving. 

Meanwhile, Filipina-Australian diver Xantheia Pennisi finished in eighth place with a total of 261.40 points.

Iffland credited the crowd at the Big Lagoon for boosting her energy, as plenty showed up to watch at the picturesque site to cheer on the divers. Sitting on top of their kayaks and inside a couple of double-decker boats, surrounded by rocky cliffs, the audience braved the searing heat to watch the athletes flip and twist their way off the platform and into the pristine waters below.

"The energy was amazing. Standing up on the platform, and I looked down at the Big Lagoon and I just went, 'Oh my god, wow.' That just filled me up with energy. I completely loved it here," said Iffland.

Her triumph put Iffland on course for a stunning ninth straight Red Bull Cliff Diving title, but the veteran says she's not looking too far ahead. The Cliff Diving World Series is headed to Polignano A Mare in Italy on June 28 to 29 for the second leg.

"It's a short season, there's only four events this season, so this has definitely given me a little boost of confidence," said Iffland. "But let's see, let's see. It's too early to say. It's only one out of four, so we'll see how it goes."

RELATED VIDEO: