James Heatly has admitted his surprise at landing a podium spot on the first day of diving competition at the European Games.
The 18-year-old posted a score of 483.50 in the final of the men's 1m springboard this evening to earn bronze and become Great Britain's first ever diving medallist at the Games.
Sports Mole caught up with Heatly moments after his final dive to see how the news was settling in.
© Getty Images
A bronze medal - congratulations! How are you feeling?
"I'm really happy, definitely. I'm quite surprised because my second dive wasn't very good - I dropped that - so just the fact that I could pull myself back up, I'm not normally very good at that, so I'm very happy with that."
Were you expecting a medal?
"No! I knew my PB would be sort of top five-ish, so I knew it would be a possibility, but I didn't really think I could do it. But now I'm happy."
You came ninth in Glasgow at the Commonwealths and 14th at the Junior Worlds last year. This is quite a progression.
"Definitely. Glasgow was an amazing experience, being in front of a home crowd, so that definitely helped me I think. With the time the Worlds was, it was a very long season so everyone was felling a bit drained, so the fact that I could come back this year and do this makes me feel a lot better because the Junior Worlds didn't go particularly well."
You mentioned the home crowd and there's obviously a big GB support here in Baku. How much does that help you when you're out there on the board?
"So much. It gives you so much more confidence. If you were by yourself, it would be more nerve-wracking. Everyone on the team is friends too so the fact everyone's there and cheering gives you so much more confidence."
Heatly next competes in the men's 3m synchro final on Friday at 3pm UK time.
Neil Wilkes
