Injury hampers Dan Goodfellow at National Cup

Meldreth diver misses podium spot

Dan Goodfellow admitted to mixed emotions after failing to reach the podium at the season-opening British National Cup in Plymouth.

The 20-year-old was making his first competitive appearance since last summer’s Olympic Games in Rio where he won 10m synchro bronze alongside Tom Daley.

And he had to wait until the final event of the three-day competition at the Plymouth Life Centre to take to the boards in the men’s 10m platform.

It proved to be one of the most eagerly contested of all the finals with four divers – Noah Williams, Matty Lee, Matthew Dixon and Goodfellow – in contention for the medals.

Meldreth-based Goodfellow started solidly enough with dives of 72.00, 70.95 and 85.00 to leave him fourth at the half-way stage but he failed to score above 56 in any of his remaining dives and could not close the gaps on the podium, eventually finishing on 390.75.

Bronze went to Dixon on 432.70, with Lee having to settle for silver despite a mammoth 109.15 on his final dive, lifting him to 471.85. Williams held his nerve to take the title on 477.95.

And Goodfellow was in philosophical mood after revealing afterwards that he was struggling with a injury niggle.

“I was unsure if I was going to compete until I went to training because of the injury but I thought I’d give it a go,” he said.

“I’ve got World Series in a few weeks so I didn’t want to push it but it was okay.

“It was just different doing individual and not synchro so it was a case of getting used to it again. I’m a bit disappointed but it was ok.

“It was good to get the first competition done. I wasn’t at 100 per cent because of my shoulder/tricep and I’ve got a lot to improve on.”

Goodfellow now turns his attention to the World Series which gets under way in Beijing next month.

And while returning to full fitness will be top of the agenda, he also admitted he would be aiming to iron out a few technical issues too.

“My junior synchro list is going to be trained obviously for the World Series,” he added.

“Individually it’s just working on my twist and my armstand as they seem to be the ones that I keep dropping in individual competition, so I need to work on them.

“I’m looking forward to getting in some training with Tom (Daley).”

■ On a relentless path to push the limits of sportswear TYR Sport engineers technologies that enhance competitive swim and triathlon performance. In addition, the US based brand also embraces lifestyle markets to accommodate active water enthusiasts at every level. To shop suits, goggles, equipment and apparel head to TYR.com.