Daley progresses in Shanghai

Tom Daley
12 April 2012

Tom Daley made it through to the semi-finals of the 10metre platform in eighth as he began the defence of his title at the World Championships in Shanghai.

While Daley's progression was never in doubt, his Great Britain team-mate Pete Waterfield left it until the very last dive to cement his place, moving from 21st to 17th of the 18 qualifiers.

It emerged that he had had painkilling injections in his wrists and with his first effort being a handstand it meant he did not have enough power to push off and complete the dive.

The 17-year-old Daley was sixth with Waterfield in the 10m synchro on Sunday after their preparations were hampered when the older diver went down with illness, allowing them just one training session together after they arrived in Shanghai following a training camp in Xian.

On Saturday Daley produced a consistent set of dives which saw him in the top six until his final effort when he over-rotated on his reverse three-and-a-half somersault which was reflected in his marks which ranged from 4.5-6. His total of 472.70 was enough to ease Daley through but it was a waiting game for Waterfield.

The Southampton diver was marked in the 4-4.5 range and lay 35th after the opening dive and was still 10 places off qualification at halfway.

However, he recovered to fight his way back into the top 18 with 415.15, although he faced little respite with another painkilling injection ahead of the semis which started an hour later.

Asked whether the wait to find out if he had qualified had been "agonising", Waterfield said: "Not as much agony as my wrists are in.

"I only had one training session before synchro and went on the 10metre straightaway. All my bones in my wrists are bruised - basically hitting the water at 40 miles an hour.

"To be honest I didn't feel I was going to get through but the last three dives were steady. I've got another one to do so hopefully I'll perform a bit better."

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