Olympic champion Jack Laugher looking to ‘be the best me’ at Tokyo Games

As the countdown to the rearranged Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games edges ever closer, we focus on the English athletes who will be travelling to Japan.

Olympic gold medal winning diver Jack Laugher says he’s ‘trying to replicate what I did in 2016’ as he looks ahead to the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Laugher finished on top of the medal podium in the Men’s 3m Synchro event in Rio to claim Britain’s first ever Olympic gold medal in diving, alongside teammate Chris Mears.

The reigning champion also took home an individual silver medal in the 3m Springboard event, and then backed this up with a hat-trick of golds at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast.

The 26-year-old is set to compete in the same events in which he has achieved so much success, with Dan Goodfellow his partner in the synchronised competition.

  • Date of Birth: 30/1/1995
  • Club: City of Leeds
  • Olympic record: Competed at London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games.

Laugher is currently Team GB’s most successful diver and despite some disappointing performances in the lead up to the Olympics, he believes he has ‘got what it takes to go all the way’.

In an interview with British Swimming, Laugher discussed his bid to reach the Olympic podium once again.

He said: “It’s just the motivation of trying to replicate what I did in 2016 – and trying to overcome the mistakes I’ve made since then.

“I’ve had a lot of good competitions, but I’ve also had some terrible ones. I think that, for me, it’s not so much trying to reach perfection, but it’s about trying to work on becoming a better athlete and the best version of me that I can be, putting myself forward and going hell for leather.

“It’s not about reaching perfection – and that is something I’d tell myself to bear in mind going back a year.

“Everyone idolises perfection above everything – but for me, it’s what can I do to be the best me.

“If I can be the best me on the day, I believe I’ve got what it takes to go all the way – but it’s about reaching that first.”

I wouldn’t be here without them

Chris Mears and Jack Laugher with their 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal

Laugher joined his first club, Harrogate District Diving Club in North Yorkshire, at the age of seven.

In a previous interview with Swim England, the European silver medallist explained that ‘joining a club was one of the best decisions of my entire life’.

“They really worked hard with me,” he added. “They knew I had talent and they had a plan as well, for me and my future.

“I couldn’t thank them enough and, honestly, I wouldn’t be here without them.”

After being selected for the team heading to the rearranged Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Laugher took to social media to thanks those who had helped him.

On Instagram he wrote: “Today we have been officially selected to represent @teamgb at the Olympic Games.

“Thank you to my coaches, staff, friends and family. Tokyo awaits.”

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