James Heatly claims 3m gold to rack up third medal of European Games

Having won silver in yesterday’s synchronised 3m springboard final to follow Thursday’s bronze in the 1m springboard, Heatly completed the set inside the Aquatics Centre with a flawless display to amass 541.65 points – his fifth and final dive a mere procession to the top of the podium after Russia’s Ilia Molchanov made a mistake on his fourth dive and slipped down to the bronze medal position.

It means the 18-year-old has now won three of Team GB’s 13 medals in Azerbaijan, though he had anticipated going back to Edinburgh merely with experience to show for his travails.

“I didn’t think I was going to win anything,” said Heatly.

“I’m over the moon to win three medals, especially as I didn’t expect it.

“At the beginning of the event I didn’t think I would do it. But when he (Ilia Molchanov) dropped that dive I thought there was a chance.

“I’m going to go and see my parents now and give my granddad a call.”

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