Daley plunges to sixth as partner’s illness takes its toll

Diving: Daley plunges to sixth as partner’s illness takes its toll

Tom Daley and Pete Waterfield finished a distant sixth in the final of the 10-metre synchronised event on the first weekend of the World Championships in Shanghai. The pair’s preparations were badly disrupted by an illness to Waterfield and it showed as the competition wore on and they slipped down the leader board. The event was won by the Chinese pair of Qui Bo and Huo Liang, who will be strong favourites to repeat their success at next year’s Olympics.

The Shanghai event is seen as a stepping stone towards London, especially with Daley and Waterfield’s partnership still in its infancy. “This was a tough week,” said Daley. “The London Olympics are going to be incredible and this competition is very valuable to us. There are still a couple of things we need to work on. I thought our performance went OK, considering the situation.”