British divers announced for Shanghai

British 3m Springboard Champion Jack Laugher will compete in his first World Championships and after winning double gold at the FINA World Junior Championships in 2010 he has spent 2011 making his mark on the senior circuit. The 16-year old insists he is ready for the challenge.

“I am really excited about going to Worlds,” Laugher said. “It is such a great feeling to know that I will be competing in such a high calibre event. I have worked really hard to get onto the team and this year I have improved on all of my performances.

“I am still quite a young springboard diver so I just want to go to Shanghai and try my best – that’s all I can ask for. I want to learn as much as I can before next year so this trip is going to be about gaining knowledge and experience of competing against the best in the world. I think it is going to be really invaluable to get such a big event under my belt before next year too.

“The best athletes in Springboard are He Chong and Qin Kai and I do really look up to those guys. I can’t wait to see them compete and see the way they prepare. This competition will be the biggest of my career so far and I am going to enjoy every moment of it.”

Tonia Couch is one of the most experienced female divers on the team and after winning the national title in Leeds she will be aiming for consistency to her performance in Shanghai. In 2009 she finished eighth in the 10m Platform final and will be eager to show how far she has come since then.

Other debutantes on the team include Jenny Cowen, Alicia Blagg and Hannah Starling all of who will be keen to learn from the experienced divers on the team.

The British Gas GBR Diving Team consists of: