MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 14:16:36| >> :600:158635:158635:

Interview: James Heatly "surprised" by Great Britain bronze

Young diver James Heatly tells Sports Mole that he is "surprised" to walk away with a bronze medal at the European Games.

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.

James Heatly poses with his medal after winning diving gold for Team GB at the European Games on June 18, 2015© 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.

ID:228886: cacheID:228886:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3521:
Written by
Neil Wilkes
Restore Data
Share this article now:
James Heatly at the Team GB kitting out ahead of the European Games on May 26, 2015
Read Next:
Team GB duo make 1m springboard final
>
Read more about James Heatly Diving
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!