Freddie Woodward couldn’t hide his delight after claiming a medal in one of his two opening diving events at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
The 17-year-old first competed in the 3m springboard event at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre recording a new personal best score of 518.30 to finish fifth.
Woodward then returned to the venue used for diving at the Sydney 2000 Olympics with fellow Brit Sam Thornton in the 3m synchro event and claimed silver behind China.
They recorded a score of 325.92 for second, leaving Woodward toasting a job well done as his Australian Youth Olympic Festival campaign got off to a flyer.
“I started with the individual competition and got a personal best so that was great and a really solid way to start so I was really pleased,” said Woodward.
“That meant I was pumped for the synchronised event and Sam and I put in some good and consistent dives and came away with silver so I am really pleased.
“China are dominant in diving so it was tough against them and they ultimately won the gold but going against those guys raises your game as you want to match them.
“Competing in such a great venue was fantastic and I had never dived in an Olympic pool before so it was a really great feeling and it is amazing to have a medal too.”
Woodward is far from finished Down Under as he returns to the Sydney boards on Sunday in the 3m springboard knockout competition, and he is in no mood to slow down.
“My performance in the individual event means I have qualified for Sunday’s knockout event and I can’t wait to do that,” he added.
“I have a taste for it now and after such a good first day I really want to keep this going.”
© Sportsbeat 2013