Great Britain have won the first medal of the FINA World Junior Diving Championships ©FINA

Great Britain won the first gold medal of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Junior Diving Championships in Kazan in Russia today.

Their line-up took gold in the mixed team event at the Aquatics Palace, the venue which hosted the diving competitions at the FINA World Championships back in 2015.

On the opening evening of the Championships it was the team of Noah Williams, Katherine Torrance, Jordan Houlden and Owen Harrison that struck first after they secured gold with a combined score of 335.45 points.

Mexico took silver with a total of 321.75 while favourites China completed the podium with a total of 320.95.

Young divers will be competing in a total of 15 events in two different age groups over the next six days with a Closing Ceremony bringing the tournament to an end on Sunday (December 4).

Group A will feature competitors aged 16, 17 and 18 years old while Group B is for divers aged 14 and 15.

China dominated the last edition of this competition, held in Penza in Russia in 2014.

The Chinese divers collected a total of 14 medals which included seven gold, two silver and five bronze.

Australia finished in second in the medal table on six while Mexico claimed third, also on six, however they secured one less gold than the Australians.

Great Britain secured the first title of the Championships as they won the mixed team event in Kazan this evening ©FINA
Great Britain secured the first title of the Championships as they won the mixed team event in Kazan this evening ©FINA

Prior to this evening's first competition, an Opening Ceremony got proceedings underway.

"It is my pleasure to present you the 21st FINA World Junior Diving Championships in Kazan," said FINA President Julio Maglione in a statement to delegates.

"This competition is taking place three months after the conclusion of the major rendezvous of the year, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

"There, in the Maria Lenk outdoor pool, we have witnessed outstanding diving performances and athletes assured top-level by demonstrating their sense of fair-play and Olympic spirit.

"The FINA World Junior Diving Championships plays a critical role within this context: it gives a unique opportunity to the youngest talents to be revealed and create awareness among the youth about this beautiful and highly technical discipline.

"I am sure that with the support of spectators, media representatives and sponsors, these championships will be a great success and will constitute a milestone in the history of the competition.

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to Russia’s Diving Federation for the tremendous work and full commitment in organising the 21st FINA World Junior Diving Championships."