INJURY FORCES WATERFIELD OUT OF WORLD CUP
Olympic, World and Commonwealth medallist Peter Waterfield
has been forced to pull out of this month's Diving World Cup
in China after tearing a thumb ligament in training.
The Southampton diver (25) injured his thumb when he hit
the water during a routine on Thursday and he has now been
advised to stop diving for up to a month while his ligament
heals.
It's a cruel blow to Waterfield who was looking to continue
his good season at the FINA event in Chung Shu.
With Platform Synchro partner Leon Taylor (City of Sheffield)
also missing through injury, it's also a massive loss to the
British team due to compete between 19th and 23rd July.
"It's a huge disappointment for me," said Waterfield,
"but I can't risk doing any more damage.
"I've had a bad thumb before and in the past we've been
able to treat it but this time it's the ligament that's gone
and the only thing to do is to splint it and rest for four
weeks."
Waterfield's injury was caused as he entered the water during
a training routine. Divers hit the surface at speeds of up
to 35mph so any slight misjudgement can have devastating consequences.
"As you enter the water you grab you hands together,"
explained Waterfield. "Sometimes you miss though and
as I entered the water the right hand smashed into the other.
"I'm going to need some intensive physiotherapy to get
the strength and movement back but I'll have to wait another
month now until the splint is off."
Waterfield, who took individual silver off the 10m Platform
at this year's Commonwealth Games, is now looking to the future
with the 2008 Olympics as his main focus.
"I didn't want to go to the World Cup and dive badly
without the proper training behind me. I've had a good year
and didn't want to end it with a bad performance because I'm
not in the right shape," said Waterfield.
"There are some massive opportunities ahead of me and
if I dive and damage it further it could put me out of the
water for up to three months.
"I'm now looking to the World Championships in Melbourne
early next year, where we will be aiming to qualify Britain
for the 2008 Olympics. That's my main goal."
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