Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
03
Aug 2021
A kiss from Tokyo as Ripon's Jack Laugher wins Olympic bronze
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:
She added:
Mrs Laugher added:
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:
0