Tom Daley finished fifth on his competitive return to London Aquatics Centre on the final day of the 2014 FINA/NVC Diving World Series.
In front of a sell-out crowd as the Aquatics Centre opened its doors to international sport for the first time since London 2012, the Olympic bronze medallist was the star attraction in the men’s 10m Platform final.
After qualifying in second from his semi-final with a season’s best 540.05, the Brit beat the 500 marker again in the final, scoring 525.45.
"The rest of my dives are better than they have been for a long time so it’s just a matter of getting my twister right now,"
- Tom Daley
China’s Yang Jian was in a league of his own as the 19-year old stormed clear to win gold with 616.50 on his first World Series appearance, completing his country’s clean sweep of the gold medals in London.
But the race for silver was wide open throughout and were it not for one dropped dive – a back 2.5 somersaults, 2.5 twists in pike going for just 61.20 points – Daley would have been in contention for a podium finish.
Chen Aisen ultimately took silver on 553.25 ahead of Ukraine’s Oleksandr Bondar (549.55) with USA’s Olympic champion David Boudia also missing the medals on 532.55.
“The atmosphere was amazing today and it was a little frustrating with that twisting dive because it’s always been my nemesis dive and it’s something I’m working on,” said Daley.
“If my twister had gone well, I’d have been looking at a bronze medal there probably so it’s a little frustrating. An extra 30 points would have put me comfortably up there.
“The rest of my dives are better than they have been for a long time so it’s just a matter of getting my twister right now.”
Tonia Couch was also in finals action in London, scoring 353.70 to finish sixth in the women’s 10m Platform.
The 24-year old was only four points shy of the total with which she won bronze at the opening leg in Beijing this season as China’s Olympic champion Chen Ruolin won gold on 400.55.
Having also won 10m Synchro silver with Sarah Barrow on the opening night in London, Couch admitted it had been an encouraging weekend.
“I scored higher than the prelims which is good and I’ve had such a great weekend here with synchro silver on Friday as well,"
- Tonia Couch
“I’m so pleased,” said Couch. “I scored higher than the prelims which is good and I’ve had such a great weekend here with synchro silver on Friday as well.
“At the last leg in Dubai, I had nothing left after being on such a high in Beijing so it was nice to get back and work hard for a few weeks then come here and do what I do best.
“It was amazing to have the crowd behind you in London. They really supported me today and I really appreciated.”
Barrow finished sixth in her 10m semi-final on 314.60 this morning while 17-year old an Goodfellow impressed to finish fourth in his 10m semi, scoring 439.00.