Jack Laugher claims first gold medal of FINA Diving World Series 2019

Jack Laugher has won his first gold medal of the FINA Diving World Series 2019.

The Olympic champion topped the podium in the Men’s 3m Springboard in Kazan, Russia, to claim his fourth medal of the series.

And it gives the City of Leeds diver a huge confidence boost ahead of the final leg of the World Series at the London Aquatics Centre.

Laugher, who won bronze in Sagamihara and Beijing and silver in Montreal, took control of the event with three dives to go as his Forward 2½ Somersaults 3 Twists (5156B) scored him an impressive 91.65 points.

He scored a total of 499.30 to take comfortably take top spot ahead of Russia’s Evgenii Kuznetsov (466.60) and China’s Jianfeng Peng (464.95).

In the Mixed Platform Synchro, Matty Lee, who won a bronze in the Men’s Platform Synchro alongside Tom Daley on the opening day of the competition, and Robyn Birch, finished sixth overall with a score of 270.06.

Birch narrowly missed out on a place in the final of the Women’s 10m Platform as she finished fourth in her semi-final.

Lois Toulson also missed out on a final place as she was fourth in her semi-final as well.

The last day of action in Russia sees the Men’s 10m Platform, Women’s 3m Springboard and the Mixed 3m Springboard events.

And then the world’s best head to London for the final round of the FINA Diving World Series at the London Aquatics Centre from 17-19 May.

Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased via the British Swimming website.

Picture: British Swimming Twitter