YOG 2010: Daley struggles but targets World Juniors

From Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Singapore

 TOM Daley's Youth Olympic Games campaign proved to be a damp squib - but the world champion insists he will vent his frustrations at next month's World Junior Championships.

TOUGH TIME: Great Britain's Tom Daley can only manage ninth place in the 3m springboard final (Singapore Press Holdings)

Daley, 16, was forced to withdraw from the European Championships last weekend in Budapest with a tricep injury and was unwilling to risk the injury in the 10m platform competition - in which he is world champion.

Instead, Beijing Olympian Daley opted to compete in the 3m springboard competition - an event in which he is notably weaker - but one which would offer less risk of aggravating his injury.

In Sunday's final, a glaring error in his third dive saw Daley get things all wrong and his chances of a medal go up in smoke before finishing in ninth place with 514.35 points.

But he is determined to be ready for the World Junior Championships which begin in Tucson, Arizona, on September 1, before returning home to start his A levels, with a trip to October's Commonwealth Games also on the horizon.

"Like I said before I'd have been happy if I didn't fall off the board but I did - those things can happen on the day in sport," said Daley.

"I just have to keep my chin up going into the World Junior Championships next week and make sure my tricep feels better so I can dive in the 10m.

"It's feeling OK, I've had some ice on it. It's still sore at some parts but I tried to compromise some of my diving technique but it's not an excuse.

"Preparation wasn't great but you have to compete like everyone else. The Commonwealth Games is the next big one so I am looking forward to that one.

"These kind of competitions when you don't do well they really make you determined to do well in the next one so I'm going to take that anger that I've got now and turn it into good training and make sure the next competition I do is the best one."

Despite his obvious disappointment, Daley, who was the figurehead of Great Britain's 39-strong team, such is his notoriety, insists he has enjoyed the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.

And he admitted he will be watching the 10m competition to keep a close eye on his rivals with China's world silver medallist and long time rival Qiu Bo looking to add to his 3m springboard victory.

"The experience has been great, the volunteers have been great, it's been organised really well, the village is great, so it ahs been a really good experience, a learning one but a good experience," added Daley.

"I'm going to watch the 10m final and hopefully not feel too gutted that I'm not in it. Now is the time I wish my tricep wasn't bad, so I could show people I can dive well."

  Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012