By James Crook

167142920April 21 - Britain's Olympic bronze medallist Tom Daley held off a tough challenge from World Cup silver medallist Russia's Victor Minibaev to win gold in the 10-metre platform event at the FINA/Midea Diving World Series in front of a sell-out home crowd at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh.

The 18-year-old was far from his best in the first two rounds of dives, but he pulled it together to secure two 10's in his back three-and-a-half somersaults piked on his third attempt, taking a score of 102.60 for the dive.

With just 10 points separating Daley and Minibaev - the man who finished one place behind him at London 2012 - at the final round of dives, Daley kept his composure on his final dive to gain 92.40 points, keeping him just five points clear of the Russian at the conclusion.

"It's great for where I am right now in my training cycle and the whole four-year cycle," said Daley, who was overall World Series champion last season.

167142888Tom Daley (centre) took gold in the men's ahead of Victor Minibaev (left) and Mexico's Ivan Garcia (right)

"To be scoring so high at this stage in the game isn't quite surprising because I knew I could do it but it does come as quite a nice reward for all the hard work I've been putting in.

"I haven't necessarily been seeing the rewards in training recently so to come here and dive well gives you that extra boost.

"It was quite a close competition from the word go really.

"I missed my first two dives which was quite frustrating but I had to have the right mindset to keep going and believe anything could happen.

"Victor is an incredible diver – when he's diving well, he dives very well.

"I knew I had to get 10s to stay in the competition and I just held that attitude for my last four dives."

Minibaev did manage to take gold at the event however, teaming up with Artem Chesakov to win the 10m platform synchro, as Ukrainian Illya Kvasha, a Beijing 2008 bronze medallist, won the 3m springboard.

166997593Shi Tingmao and Wu Minxia won gold in the 3m springboard synchro adding to a successful tournament for their nation

Chinese divers were the most successful overall, taking four women's titles thanks to 21-year-old Shi Tingmao and four-time Olympic gold medallist Wu Minxia, who paired up to take the 3m springboard synchro event title, and London 2012 gold and silver medallist He Zi, who dominated the individual event to take gold.

Si Yajie finished ahead of compatriot Liu Huixia in the individual 10m platform, before teaming up with her to win gold in the 10m platform synchro.

Olympic champions Qin Kai and He Chong, also of China, took gold in the men's 3m springboard synchro.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2013: 
Edinburgh named to host FINA/Midea Diving World Series
February 2012: Great Chinese takeaway continues at Diving World Cup in London