TEN-YEAR-OLD DALEY TAKES BRONZE IN AACHEN
Ten-year-old Thomas Daley shocked the diving world today
as he won bronze in the 3m springboard event against boys
five years his senior at an International Youth meet in Germany.
The talented Plymouth diver, who took up the sport three
years ago, qualified for the final in third position and was
able to put in the performance of his lifetime to hold his
place and take bronze in 367,45 points.
Ukrainian and former European Junior Champion Dmytro Mezhenskyy
won gold with 391,85 and seasoned competitor Semen Kokunov
of Russia took silver in 376,40 points. City of Leeds' Callum
Johnstone finished seventh with 347,45 points.
British Diving's Junior Olympic Programme Manager Kim White
was delighted with his young star's results.
"Thomas put in a outstanding performance today to win
bronze," said White. "We didn't really expect it
here. Not only is he competing against boys at least four
years older than him, but it's his first international competition
and the first camp he's been on with British Diving outside
of the UK.
"This is a great meet as we've been allowed to be more
flexible in terms of squad selection and entries. We can involve
some of those talented youngsters we've fast tracked through
the system and give them an opportunity to experience top-level
competition.
"I decided to bring Thomas to Germany and he rose to
the challenge. The 3m springboard isn't even his top event,
he's still got the platform to come.
"He's certainly been raising a few eyebrows here and
everyone knows who he is. All the top countries are filming
him train and he's found a lot of new supporters. I'm not
sure he's fully aware yet what he's actually achieved."
The Diving International Youth meet takes place in
Aachen, Germany from 14-17 April.
The British squad consists of Claire Blencowe (City of Sheffield),
Brooke Graddon (Plymouth), Callum Johnstone (City of Leeds),
Kyle Prior (Plymouth), Claire Wonnacott (Plymouth), Max Brick
(Southampton DA) and Thomas Daley (Plymouth).
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