English divers impress at British Diving Championships

Yasmin Harper, Kyle Kothari and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix were among the divers to star at the British Diving Championships in Sheffield.

The competition took place at Ponds Forge, Sheffield from 25-29 May where some of the nation’s top divers looked to secure national titles.

It was also a key selection event for all the divers involved with places at this summer’s senior and junior international events up for grabs.

And a number of English divers starred at the meet with Yasmin Harper particularly impressing with three golds throughout the four days.

City of Sheffield’s Harper won two British titles in as many hours on Friday with both the Women’s 1m Springboard and the Women’s 3m Synchronised Platform on the second day of competition.

She begun with her third 1m Springboard British gold on the bounce back after she narrowly defeated her club mate Holly May Prasanto and Dive London’s Grace Reid.

Prasanto led in the early stages but a brilliant fourth-round Reverse 1 ½ Somersault 1 ½ Twists Free pushed her past Prasanto as she scored 58.50 points.

Harper held her nerve in the fifth and final round to defend her crown with a total score of 269.30 points just under five points ahead of Prasanto.

A consistent Reid finished third with the double Olympian scoring 252.90.

Harper was then back in action alongside Scarlett Mew Jensen as the pair teamed to win the 3m Synchronised event.

After their recent strong showing in China at the Diving World Cup where they also won silver, this time they took to the top of the podium with a total of 263.04.

They finished just ahead of Swim England pathway divers Maya Kutty and Callie Eaglestone who impressed to win silver on 247.38.

Haper then returned to the top of the podium on the final day in a thrilling Women’s 3m Springboard final.

The City of Sheffield diver came out on top in an incredibly close contest with her partner Scarlett Mew Jensen.

Diving in front of her home crowd Harper came out on top over Mew Jensen by less than a point with Reid also just missing out on the title in third

Reid was leading until an unfortunate points deduction due to a restarted dive but still clawed her way back to a podium spot with a score of 292.80 and just over six points off the leaders.

Kothari’s first individual title

Kyle Kothari won his first individual title in the Men’s 10m Platform on the final night of competition.

It was a strong performance from Kothari who just missed out on breaking the 500-point barrier for his six dives.

He led an all Dive London top four with a score of 498.75 with Noah Williams, Ben Cutmore and Matty Lee the next three behind him.

Kothari’s best dive saw him score an incredible 99.90 points for his Forward 4 ½ Somersaults Tuck.

Southampton Diving Academy’s Robbie Lee also hit the same massive score for his Back 3 ½ Somersault Tuck as the 18-year-old finished best of the rest behind the London quartet.

Williams was second with 487.75 and Cutmore third after scoring 479.35.

City of Sheffield’s Ross Haslam took his first British title in five years in the Men’s 1m Springboard.

His consistent display saw him take victory with a total of 426.45.

Haslam also stepped on top of the podium alongside James Heatly in the Men’s 3m Synchronised Platform.

Jorden Houlden added to the home club’s success by winning the Men’s 3m Springboard showcase.

Houlden finished 18 points ahead of Commonwealth Champion Daniel Goodfellow to take home the gold with a score of 488.75.

And Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix added another title to her growing collection in the British Women’s 10m Platform.

She completed the domestic double after British National Diving Cup success as her score of 344.20 won her the crown.

You can catch up on all the action from the British Diving Championships on British Swimming’s YouTube channel or you can see all the results here.

A full medal roll of honour for the event is below.

Images – British Swimming