CONNOR SETS TONGUES WAGGING AT DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Australian diving is abuzz with the form of 19-year-old James Connor, a 2012 Olympian who was the outstanding diver of the National Championships in Brisbane on Saturday.

Connor, who turns 20 this week, has been based in the United States in recent years.

The Victorian on Saturday beat a quality field, including Commonwealth Games medalist Grant Nel and the experienced Matthew Mitcham, by more than 25 points to win the 3-metre springboard gold.

He then followed up with Queensland’s Domonic Bedggood to post a competitive international score in the platform synchro.

“I guess I always hope my competition will reflect how I’ve been training, and I’ve been training pretty well,” Connor said.

“It’s nice when all the pieces fall in together.”

Connor said his results prove he made the right decision to move to the United States.

“I think the results speak for themselves,” he said.

“I guess with where I’ve come from, after the Olympics I went through a bit of a phase of what was right for me, what should I be doing.

“Since taking the punt on going over to Indiana, I’ve loved every second of it. And when I dive like I did today, there’s absolutely no regrets.”

Connor will be further tested on Sunday when he takes on Bedggood in the men’s platform final.

The other diver to catch the eye on Saturday was two-time Olympian, Melissa Wu, in the women’s platform.

Wu posted one of her best scores of the year to win gold ahead of Queensland’s Emily Meaney and Olympic silver medalist, Brittany Broben, who is still on the comeback from injury.

Wu had a slow start to 2015 but feels she’s now close to her best.

“I just had to pull me head in and get my act together, and dive the way I know I can.

“I’m glad I was able to do that today and over the weekend.”

Wu and Queensland’s Lara Tarvit teamed up to win gold in the women’s platform synchro.