Mears hopes to strike gold again

‘Veteran’ diver Chris Mears will be looking to repeat his gold-medal winning performance from Glasgow 2014 when he takes part in the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Mears, of Reading, struck gold in the 3m synchronised event with partner Jack Laugher at the last Commonwealth Games – and that success proved to be the springboard for a fantastic four years for the duo.

Chris Mears
  • Date of Birth: 07/02/1993
  • Club: City of Leeds Diving Club
  • Coach: Adam Smallwood
  • CWG: Made debut at Delhi 2010, won 3m Synchro gold at Glasgow 2014.

They won Great Britain’s first ever Olympic diving gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and head to the Gold Coast full of confidence.

And he has advised everyone taking part in the Games to enjoy the experience.

Mears, 25, who will be taking part in his third Commonwealth Games, said: “We will knuckle down with our training but I will enjoy being at the Commonwealth Games and being in Australia itself, which will be fun.

“Good luck to everyone else competing as well. Go smash it and have fun with it.”

Ruptured spleen

After an impressive junior career, Mears underwent life-saving surgery to remove a ruptured spleen at the start of 2009.

Only one year later, Mears made his Commonwealth debut for England in Delhi, finishing fourth in the 3m Synchro alongside Nick Robinson-Baker.

He made his Olympic debut with the same partner at London 2012, finishing fifth in the 3m Synchro, as well as appearing in two World Championship finals in 2011 and 2013.

Mears teamed up with City of Leeds teammate Laugher in 2014 and after their success in Glasgow 2014, they reached the 2015 World Championship podium in Kazan, Russia with 3m Synchro bronze.

The pair improved again in 2016, landing the European title in front of a home crowd in London before winning Team GB’s first Olympic diving title at the Rio 2016 Games.

Mears was recognised in the 2017 New Year Honours list when he and Laugher were awarded MBEs for services to diving.

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