Daley bags second national crown in a row

DIVING prodigy Tom Daley has warmed up for the World Championships in perfect style - clinching his second successive British title.

SECOND SUCCESS: Tom Daley secures second national title in Sheffield (Getty Images)

The 14-year-old broke the 500-point mark twice in the 10m Platform competition to seal an emphatic victory in Sheffield and set a new personal best of 517.55.

Daley knew a good performance at Ponds Forge would guarantee him a spot at the World Championships in Rome in July and he showed no signs of rustiness, despite it being his first competition since the World Junior Championships in September.  

 "That is my best score in a competition," said Daley. "I am really happy to have got that score. I have not competed since World Juniors and to have gone over 500 twice. It is a real boost to my confidence and to achieve it in the final was great.

"I am going to go into the World Champoinships with no expectations  and I will just hope that all goes well."

The silver medal went to Jack Laugher of with a total of 384.10 while Gary Hunt took the bronze medal with a score of 363.50.

Daley will not be competing in the 10m synchro competition after partner Blake Aldridge was assaulted in a nightclub incident last week.

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