Tom Daley overcame a stuttering start to claim 10m platform gold at the FINA Diving World Series in Edinburgh.
Daley admitted he struggled with his rhythm in the opening two dives as Russia's Victor Minibaev, who the Brit edged off the podium at last year's Olympics, surged ahead.
But inspired by a home crowd Daley finally started to click, moving to within ten points of his rival heading into the final round.
And he held his nerve under pressure, scoring 542.15 to win by less than five points.
“It’s great for where I am right now in my training cycle and the whole four-year cycle,” said Olympic bronze medallist Daley, who was overall World Series champion last season.
“To be scoring so high at this stage in the game isn’t quite surprising because I knew I could do it but it does come as quite a nice reward for all the hard work I’ve been putting in.
“I haven’t necessarily been seeing the rewards in training recently so to come here and dive well gives you that extra boost.
“It was quite a close competition from the word go really. I missed my first two dives which was quite frustrating but I had to have the right mindset to keep going and believe anything could happen.
“Victor is an incredible diver – when he’s diving well, he dives very well. I knew I had to get 10s to stay in the competition and I just held that attitude for my last four dives.”
Meanwhile, Daley's training partner Tonia Couch finished fourth in the women's 10m platform as China’s 14-year old world junior champion Si Yajie took victory ahead of 15-year old compatriot Liu Huixia and Mexico’s Alejandra Orozco.
“I am really pleased with my performance,” said Couch, after posting a 350.45 score.
“Fourth is a horrible place to come but I have never medalled at a World Series before so I am really pleased.
“I didn’t expect to score over 350 in this competition. I scored 360 at nationals in Plymouth a few months ago but coming into this international and getting 350, I am really happy.
“I have a lot more to prove, I am going reflect upon this score today and continue to work on my dives back home.”
© Sportsbeat 2013