SYNCHRO TEAM ADDS SILVER TO JUNIORS MEDAL COLLECTION

Australia’s 3-metre synchro team of Naomi Gowlett and Georgia Sheehan have come tantalizingly close to winning gold at the World Junior Diving Championships in Penza.

The Queensland schoolgirls were beaten to the gold by China by just over one point, an incredible performance from the Australians who were in outstanding form throughout the event.

They led after the opening dive of the final, then slipped back to fourth with their second dive, before finishing strongly with their last two dives to grab the silver.

Australia now has three bronze and one silver medal for the week, with Sheehan’s silver adding to the bronze she won earlier in the week in the 1-metre springboard.

The 15-year-old will have a chance to add further to her collection when she dives in the 3-metre on Sunday.

Also on Friday, Kurtis Mathews gave an outstanding diving display to finish in the 10-metre platform.

Mathews showed incredible composure to come from 10th at the half way stage of the final to finish fifth, just outside the medals.

His final two dives were almost flawless, underlining the enormous potential this young Queenslander has.

Teammate Brodie Scapens also dived well in the prelims, but an unfortunate no-dive proved costly for the talented South Australian.

Scapens, one of Australia’s busiest divers this week in Penza, will get his chance to bounce back in the 3-metre springboard on Saturday.