There was a kiss that crossed the world as Ripon’s diving hero Jack Laugher added to his Olympic medal haul with bronze in the men’s individual three-metre springboard event.
TV viewers this morning could hear him saying ‘love you Mum, love you Dad’ as he blew a kiss to his parents Jackie and Dave in Littlethorpe.
Mrs Laugher told the Stray Ferret:
“It was very emotional hearing that and he also Facetimed us immediately after the event.”
She added:
“The turnaround from last week’s disappointment in the synchronised competition was incredible.
“He let his diving do the talking this morning and it was neck and neck for the silver medal until his last dive.”
Jack Laugher winning the bronze medal. Photo: British Swimming
Mrs Laugher added:
“Dave and I could not be prouder. He is a fine son and a very special and inspirational person.”
In a nail-biting finish at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, the medal placings were only decided in the sixth and final round.
With just two points between them after five dives, Laugher scored 87.75 while China’s Wang Zongyuan was awarded 102 points by the judges.
However XIE Siyi’s 102.6 saw him add Olympic Gold to his world championship title, with his countryman in silver and Laugher in the bronze medal position.
Laugher, a member of the City of Leeds Swimming club, has the distinction of being the only GB diver in history to win Olympic medals in the men’s individual competition, securing his name forever in the sporting record books.
He now has the full medal set with today’s bronze adding to the gold and silver he won five years ago at the Rio 2016 games.
Laugher, who was born and bred in Littlethorpe, has proved a sporting role model to students at his former schools, Cathedral Primary and Ripon Grammar and also supports Ripon City Netball Club, where his mother is a player.
Close family friend Helen Mackenzie, who is head coach at the club, said:
“Something very special about Jack is the fact that he has never forgotten his roots.
“He is a kind, generous and thoughtful young man, who has given back so much to the local community.”
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