Dixon wins Gold Coast 10m platform silver

Matthew Dixon won Team England’s eighth diving medal on the final day of competition in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Following a great performance in the prelims, Plymouth Diving’s Dixon led the field, with synchro partner Noah Williams in second.

Despite dropping a few points in the opening round, Dixon’s mid-way back three and a half somersaults tuck scored him 82.50 to take him into the medal positions.

Going into the final round, the 17-year-old led Australia’s local boy Domonic Bedggood who had dominated the event from the start.

Dixon scored 67.20 with his final dive to finish with 449.55 points, only 1.6 points behind Bedggood (451.15).

Having won the 10m synchro silver on day three with Williams, Dixon, who celebrates his 18th birthday next week, was happy with his overall performance.

“I just wasn’t sharp enough at the end”, he said. “Domonic dived really well and I put in a good fight for silver and I’m still really happy.

“A lot of positives came out. I just need to get sharper entries.

“It’s really exciting. I’m really happy with how my performances went, it was very consistent. I’m really happy with the two silvers.”

Dive London’s Williams concluded his first Commonwealth Games with a fourth place finish. The 17-year-old scored 405.85 points to end the event behind Canada’s Vincent Riendeau (425.40).

Williams has point to prove

Williams opened his campaign with his highest scoring dive, an inward three and a half somersaults tuck for 81.60 points.

After dropping points on his fourth round forward three and a half somersaults pike (39.00), he then showed he could hold his nerve as he finished with a fantastic back two and a half somersaults two and a half twists pike for 81.00 points.

Having been added to the line up following the withdrawal by Tom Daley, Williams was keen to show he deserved to be there.

“This is my first major senior international and to have the chance to compete in the individual as well was a great experience”, he said.

“I just wanted to show that I belong in that field with everyone else and I feel I was able to by finishing fourth in the final.

“Winning silver in the synchro and being so close to Tom and Dan shows there could be some good things to come.”

City of Leeds’ Matty Lee carried an injury to his right arm throughout the final. Despite ending on a high with his back two and a half somersaults two and a half twists pike for 70.20 points, it was an eleventh place finish overall (341.20).

Team England divers top the medal table

Dixon’s silver medals brings Team England’s diving total to four golds, three silvers and one bronze.

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