Southend star Connor Lano shines for GB at a top diving event

There were 12 nations competing with a maximum of two divers per country and Connor really delivered by making the finals on both the one metre and three metre springboards.

Following several days of good training and tapering Connor dived first on the three metre and qualified comfortably in third place place of 24 divers in the prelims.  

Although upping his performance and increasing his score in the final so too did his strong rivals and Connor was just edged into fourth place with a score of 488.80 points.

Swallowing his disappointment the following day Connor was on the one metre springboard, often a favourite if his, and showed just how determined and tough he can be.

Again he finished the prelims in third place against very much the same divers but this time come the final it was yet another improved performance.

A final score of 473.65 moved him into second place to earn silver behind Valerio Mosca from Italy who scored 480.75.

And Connor was delighted with his displays.

"I am really delighted with the result and enjoyed competing against and mixing with these amazing divers," said Connor.

"After placing fourth on the three metre I knew I had to fight for a better finish on the one metre, which I did!

"I also recognise that some of the other divers do have a higher degree of difficulty with their list of dives than me currently and that encourages me to keep training my new dives so I can use them soon – maybe at Junior Europeans."

The International Youth Diving Meet was set up in 2011 and is now known as a major international competition for young divers, second only to the Junior World Championships as it attracts divers from all over the world.

Connor qualified to compete in Dresden at the recent Elite Nationals and joined the British team knowing the results there could be used for selection to the Junior European Championships being held in Athens in late June.

Coach Shan Veasey was not at the event with Connor but was able to watch the live-stream of both events and was happy with his performances.

"This has been another really strong performance for Connor who has improved his performances steadily throughout this season," said Shan.

"He certainly deserved his selection to compete in Dresden and with those consistent ratings over a number of prestigious competitions I’m sure that the GB Selectors will be looking and considering him for the Junior Europeans.

"The team for is expected to be announced this coming week."