History maker Jack Laugher wins first World Series Diving gold in Dubai

Ripon diving ace Jack Laugher has made history by storming to his first ever gold medal at the World Diving Series.
Diver Jack Laugher.  Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeDiver Jack Laugher.  Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
Diver Jack Laugher. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

Laugher dominated Friday’s competition as he led from start to finish to win the 3m springboard event in Dubai.

The 20-year-old smashed his personal best with a score of 564.35 points for his six dives, with three dives alone scoring more than 95 points.

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The former Ripon Grammar School held off competition from Chinese pair He Chong and Cao Yuan as he took victory by more than 33 points.

In winning gold, he became the first British diver ever to win gold in a 3m springboard World Series event.

He also broke China’s stranglehold on the World Series competitions by ending the winning streak of Chinese divers in 2015.

Laugher had to put the disappointment of a third straight fourth place finish to the back of his mind before the competition on Friday afternoon.

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He had earlier missed out on a podium place alongside City of Leeds teammate Chris Mears in the 3m synchro as the pair finished fourth on 402.12 points.

Last week, he finished fourth in both the 3m springboard and 3m synchro competitions in Beijing, the first World Series event of 2015.

Results in full:

1. Jack Laugher (GBR) - 564.35

2. He Chong (CHN) - 531.85

3. Cao Yuan (CHN) - 531.30

4. Illya Kvasha (UKR) - 482.80

5. Patrick Hausding (GER) - 433.55

6. Yahel Castillo (MEX) - 432.10

Jack Laugher round-by-round:

Dive 1: Forward 2-1/2 Somersault 2 Twist Pike (DD 3.4) - 91.80

Dive 2: Reverse 3-1/2 Somersault Tuck (DD 3.5) - 94.50

Dive 3: Inward 3-1/2 Somersault Tuck (DD 3.4) - 88.40

Dive 4: Forward 2-1/2 Somersault 3 Twist Pike (DD 3.9) - 95.55

Dive 5: Forward 4-1/2 Somersault Tuck (DD 3.8) - 96.90

Dive 6: Back 3-1/2 Somersault Tuck (DD 3.6) - 97.20

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