The British Gas GBR Junior Diving Team are putting the final touches to their preparations for the World Junior Championships which take place in Penza from 9 – 14 September.
Matthew Dixon (14) and James Heatly (17) will return to action fresh from their performances at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and will be eager to use their experience in Russia.
"I want to see if I can get better scores than ever before"
- James Heatly
Heatly commented: “My highlights this year have definitely been being selected for the European Juniors and Commonwealth Games and then reaching finals at both of the events. I also won bronze with Sam [Thornton] at Europeans which was great.
“I have learnt a ‘competition head’ and there was even a change from Europeans to Commonwealths. It was important to learn the focus to put that into my competition.
“I’m looking forward to World Championships and I want to use the focus I have learnt and concentrate during the competition. I want to see if I can get better scores than I have had before.
“I’m looking forward to competing with Sam again too. We are great mates and it makes competitions lots of fun. We have had good performances this year and it gives us confidence ahead of Penza.”
Looking to continue the success of the British athletes at the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and European Championships, the juniors will be looking to show they have what it takes to compete on a world stage.
European Junior champions Lois Toulson and Kyle Kothari will be looking to continue their good form on to a global stage.
"Being European champion does give me confidence but China are going to be at this competition so that will be tough too"
- Lois Toulson
“I am really looking forward to competing at the World Juniors,” Toulson said. “I will be looking to gain experience and compete against the best countries in the world.
“Being European champion does give me confidence but China are going to be at this competition so that will be tough too. I want to learn from them so I can improve my diving too.
“I’m also looking forward to the 3m Synchro with Millie Hafferty and we have a medal from Europeans so we will be confident for Russia too.”
Sam Thornton took bronze at the European Junior Championships in the 1m Springboard and will team up again with Heatly in the 3m Synchro in an attempt to repeat their bronze medal performance.
The British Gas GBR Diving team
- Ruby Bower
- Francesca Del Celo
- Matthew Dixon
- Millie Haffety
- Ross Haslam
- James Heatly
- Kyle Kothari
- Andreas Larsen
- Sarah Leach
- Shanice Lobb
- Lois Toulsen
- Katherine Torrance
- Sam Thornton
- Noah Williams