TAYLOR STRIKES GOLD IN THE STATES
Olympic hero Leon Taylor blew away a world class field to
strike gold at the US Grand Prix yesterday.
The Athens silver medallist, competing in the ten-metre individual
platform final, sparkled to secure first place on the podium
at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.
Having battled his way through a tough semi-final on Friday,
Sheffield's Taylor rose to the challenge to score an impressive
489.25 points to clinch his first medal since last summer's
Olympic success in Greece.
Taylor and China's Feng Qi led the way in the final, with
Qi just 0.01pts behind in second place as every dive counted.
"It was a great final, but Leon was brilliant,"
said Great Britain coach Adrian Hinchcliffe.
"The field was very tough and Leon and the Chinese diver
went out all guns blazing from the very first dive.
"It was so nice to see Leon win. It wrapped up a good
weekend for the team, especially with some of the performances
from our younger divers."
Taylor scored 454.14pts in the semi-finals, but raised his
game considerably to make sure gold, rather than silver, was
hung around his neck at the end of a gruelling four-day competition.
"We needed a medal to because we've performed excellently,"
added Hinchcliffe.
"It's good see our youngsters learn what is required
to win a medal - and I'm sure they did that by watching Leon."
With fellow Olympic silver medallist Peter Waterfield sidelined
with a tricep injury, and three-times Olympian Tony Ally absent
because of a back-injury, it was left to some of the younger
GB divers to shine for the national team.
And having tasted success at the Canadian Grand Prix last
weekend, teenager Brooke Graddon once again stepped up to
the plate, this time alongside Sarah Barrow in the women's
ten-metre synchronised platform final.
The duo, newcomers to the world senior circuit, demonstrated
maturity beyond their years to score a commendable 253.29pts
and finished in ninth position, just over a point behind German
pairing Annett Gamm and Nora Subschinski.
"It really has been a very good competition for us,"
said Hinchcliffe. "There were obviously injuries to Peter
and Tony, but the rest of the team have performed well against
some top divers."
Next up for the GB team is the Italian Grand Prix in Rome
(June 3-5), followed by the Super Final Grand Prix in Mexico
(June 25-26).
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