Benjamin Bush finishes strongly to win 3m national title

Benjamin Bush stormed home to win the Boys 12-13 Years 3m title on the third day of the Swim England Diving National Age Group Championships.

The Dive London Aquatics Club member had dropped out of the podium positions after four dives, but emphatically returned to the top of the standings with his penultimate dive – an inward one-and-a-half somersaults for 38.85 points.

Bush needed less than 30 points from his final dive to secure the gold medal, but he ended the competition in style.

A forward two-and-a-half somersaults – with a 2.4 degree of difficulty – earned him 42.00 points to take his winning total to 210.00 points.

He said: “I’m very happy to win gold. My opening dive was probably my best one, I don’t know if it was my best score or not but definitely my favourite.

“I’ve got the 1m coming up tomorrow which I’m looking forward to and hopefully I’ll get another medal.

“I spoke to my parents afterwards and they said that they’re very proud of me. We’re going for a meal later for my sister’s birthday so it will be a joint celebration I think.”

His coach, Jodie Stratford, added: “I’m really proud of him. We’re definitely hoping for more success tomorrow.

“We had five divers in this one and they all did well. As well as Ben, we had three who came in the top 10.”

Tight finish for podium places

In a close battle for the silver medal, City of Bradford Esprit Diving’s Owen Taylor edged Southampton Diving Academy’s Oliver Wignall.

Taylor was rewarded for his final effort – an inward two-and-a-half somersaults with a 2.7 degree of difficulty – which scored him 40.50 points to take him to 195.85 overall.

He was trailed by Swim England Talent Pathway member Wignall, who was just 0.70 points behind with 195.15.

Wignall’s clubmate, Reuben Havenga, just missed out on a podium place, scoring 194.80 points.

Penman writes his own story

Aberdeen Diving Club’s Noah Penman picked up a commemorative gold medal after scoring an impressive 229.30 points.

The guest diver was well clear of the field and was the only competitor to score more than 50 points with one of his attempts, scoring 51.60 with a forward two-and-a-half somersaults.

Photos: Will Johnston Photography