Laugher: Third straight win would be greatest achievement

Jack Laugher insists the pressure is on ahead of this weekend's Diving World Series in London.

Laugher has established himself as the world's leading 3m springboard diver this season after back-to-back series wins in Dubai and Kazan.

And after establishing a taste for the top step of the podium the 20-year old insists nothing less will now do.

"I'm feeling great off the back of the two gold medals and training in London is going well so I am feeling confident heading into the competition," he said.

"When I started doing the World Series five years ago I was lucky if I beat anyone and to be beating everyone is amazing really and a bit of a surprise if I'm being honest.

"A hat-trick of World Series golds would be my best achievement yet, it is all about going out and trying to achieve that now – with the added bonus of it being in front of a home crowd and my friends and family.

"Consistency is a key thing for a top athlete and you need to do it at the top end of the sport and prove it week in, week out.

"I showed that I deserved that first gold medal by winning the second. I showed it was no fluke but I still think I can improve and I'm still relatively young.

"All the focus is on the World Championships so hopefully I can continue my good form in London, bag some Olympic spots for Rio and take some of the pressure off. I am really looking forward to it."

Laugher believes British diving has never had it so good with team-mates Tom Daley, Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow all among the medals in recent World Series events.

And he's enjoying his new-found status among the stars of the group.

"There is a real buzz around and I think we are as strong as we have ever been across all disciplines," he added. "We are one medal up on what we achieved during the whole of last year’s World Series, so that shows just how far we have come recently.

"To be part of this group is really exciting and it bodes well for the World Championships this summer and ultimately on to Rio."

* See the world's best divers take part in the FINA/NVC Diving World Series at the iconic London Aquatics Centre, 1-3 May. Tickets from £7 now on sale atwww.ticketmaster.co.uk/diving

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