Tom Daley, the thirteen-year-old from Plymouth, has been crowned European champion after winning the ten-metre platform diving title in Eindhoven.

Daley, who last month became the second-youngest male Olympian in British history when he qualified for Beijing, moved into top spot with flawless dives in rounds four and five - which saw him awarded four marks of 10 in each.

Although his entry into the water in the final round was a little less impressive than normal, the youngster had done enough to hold off the challenges of Germany’s Sascha Klein and Francesco Dell’Uomo, of Italy, who finished in second and third respectively.

Daley had virtually assured himself of the victory with his fifth dive, a back three-and-a-half somersault with tuck that was scored four maximum 10 points and three 9.5 points by the seven-judge panel.

Nevertheless, he had to wait for his victory to be confirmed and blushed, jumped up and down, and put his hands over his face in delight as Klein failed to overtake him with his sixth and final dive.

Victory for Daley made up for his disappointment of yesterday when he and Blake Aldridge (Southampton Diving) had their first taste of defeat since their partnership began just six months ago, finishing in sixth place in the final of the ten-metre platform synchro event.

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