Germany’s Sofie Hrubasik and Norway’s Jakob Liabø has been crowned DØDS Diving World Champions after winning the 2026 DØDS Diving World Championship in front of 5,000 spectators in the picturesque coastal town of Arendal, Norway.
In the women’s competition, Germany’s Sofie Hrubasik took the world title ahead of Norwegian star Asbjørg Nesje, with the USA’s Kimberley Benson claiming bronze. Liabø claimed gold in the men’s competition ahead of France’s Côme Girardot, while Norway’s Oscar Hjertstedt secured bronze, putting two Norwegians on the World Championship podium.
Norwegian celebrations in front of 5,000 spectators in Arendal
This year’s World Championship brought the world’s best DØDS divers to the heart of Arendal, with around 5,000 people surrounding Pollen to watch the biggest competition of the season.
Women’s podium:
- Sofie Hrubasik – Germany
- Asbjørg Nesje – Norway
- Kimberley Benson – USA
Men’s podium:
- Jakob Liabø – Norway
- Côme Girardot – France
- Oscar Hjertstedt – Norway
"It is hard to imagine a better way to end the season", says Paul Rigault, CEO and Founder of DØDS Diving League. "Five thousand people around Pollen, athletes from across the world and Germany, USA, France and Norway on the World Championship podium demonstrate both how international it has become.
The World Championship concludes a historic 2026 season featuring World Tour stops in Tobago, France, the United States and Norway, generating more than 200 million views across DDL’s owned digital channels.
DØDS Diving League has also expanded its international distribution through broadcasters including NRK, ESPN and DAZN.
"DØDS Diving started in Norway, but what we saw in Arendal today was an international sports product", says Rigault. "The focus now is on taking the next step and building on this momentum toward 2027".