Diving: Jack Laugher wins gold with Chris Mears at European Championships

Ripon diving sensation Jack Laugher gave hopes of a first Olympic medal a boost by winning gold in the 3m synchro alongside best mate Chris Mears at the European Championships in London.
Jack LaugherJack Laugher
Jack Laugher

The British duo recorded a personal best score of 456.81 points in Friday's final to finish ahead of Russia (445.23) and Ukraine (439.86).

The Russians had won the last five consecutive European titles but we're always playing catch-up with the Laugher and Mears, who went ahead of the field in the third round.

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The pair won bronze at the World Championships last year but preparations for their Olympic year have been blighted by a foot injury for Laugher.

"This is massive for us and an 11-point PB," said Laugher, who also won silver in the individual 3m springboard event on Thursday.

"This has been a long time coming because our synchro has been on form. It took a while to get going this year but we're definitely there now.

"Hopefully that score and that performance sends a message out to the rest of the world that we are on form ahead of Rio."

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Laugher sighted cramp for his below-par performance in Thursday's individual 3m springboard competition.

Jack Laugher and Chris Mears celebrate goldJack Laugher and Chris Mears celebrate gold
Jack Laugher and Chris Mears celebrate gold

The 21-year-old was a strong favourite to win a first European gold at the 2012 Olympic venue but dropped two of his dives to score 473.60 - well below his national record of 564.35.

It was still enough to win the silver medal, however, behind Russian champion Evegenii Kuznetsov (497.90).