Tom Daley wins gold at the World Championships in 10m platform with a stunning display
British star claimed his first individual Worlds gold since 2009 in Budapest
TOM DALEY won gold at the World Championships in Budapest in the individual 10m platform.
The British superstar won his first individual Worlds gold since 2009 after scoring 590.95 in a spectacular performance.
Having led from the start, Daley kept his nerve in the final round, producing a brilliant dive, a back three-and-a-half somersault pike, under pressure to secure the gold.
Daley leaped up into the air in excitement and sprinted towards his coach Jane Figueiredo as soon as he saw he had won.
Daley's success comes after he only managed to reach the semi-finals of the same event at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
The 23-year-old Plymouth diver was inconsolable after missing out on qualification from the Olympic semi-final in Rio last August, having been peerless in the earlier qualification heat.
With husband Dustin Lance Black, the Hollywood screenwriter, alongside his mum Debbie in the Duna Arena, Daley this time delivered when the pressure was on to add to the world title he first won in 2009, aged 15.
However, it may be bitter sweet, too, as China's Chen Aisen, who won Olympic gold in Rio, finished second with 585.25 points.
Chen won Olympic gold with 585.30, while bronze went to China's Yang Jian with 565.15, while Briton Matty Lee was 12th.
Daley's medal took Great Britain's tally from the diving pool to three.
Earlier on Saturday, Daley and Grace Reid earlier claimed silver in the mixed synchronised 3m springboard.
Daley immediately returned to training for his individual final, where he climbed to the top of the podium once more.
Daley said: “It was a very close competition all the way to the end and considering everything that happened last year in Rio, not making the final.
“So to come back here now and win both gold and silver all in one day is just amazing.
“The atmosphere here today felt like a little bit of a home crowd and that atmosphere really helped me I think.
“To beat the Olympic Champion does feel nice, knowing that my score today would’ve won gold in Rio makes me feel good and helps me put Rio to bed and know that I can win and that’s going to help me on my journey to Rio.
“To be able to go out there and deliver when it matters is something that I’ve really been working and not getting ahead of myself and remain consistently steady in the top positions.
“I would never have would’ve thought that I would win three world titles but today helps we continue to keep working hard and keep focused knowing that I can still perform at my best.”
