From Guadalajara to Windsor, the 2025 Diving World Cup season has kicked off in spectacular fashion, and Team GB have not just shown up, they’ve shone. With a string of standout performances and podium finishes, the British divers have firmly established themselves as one of the powerhouses of this year’s campaign, sitting just behind the seemingly untouchable Chinese team as the Super Final in Beijing looms large in early May.
Jordan Houlden: Dominant on the Springboard.
The headline act in Windsor came courtesy of Jordan Houlden, who delivered the performance of his life to clinch his first-ever gold medal on the world stage. Competing in his favoured event, the men’s 3m springboard, the Sheffield-based diver produced a composed and commanding display to outclass a high-quality field.
Houlden made an emphatic statement from the outset, opening with a forward 2½ somersault with two twists that set the tone for the rest of his competition. Positioned second heading into the final round, he saved his best for last : a near-flawless forward 4½ somersault tuck, scoring 89.30 points, which he later described as “the best dive of my career.” That effort propelled him to a final tally of 470.85, comfortably clear of American Carson Tyler and China’s Zheng Jiuyan, who trailed by more than 30 points.
This landmark victory not only marks a personal breakthrough for Houlden, but also rockets him to second place in the overall World Cup standings ahead of the Beijing finale.
A Collective Statement of Intent.
Houlden’s heroics were far from a solo act. The British squad showed real depth across the board, continuing a wave of momentum built during the opening leg in Mexico.
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, already a familiar name in the international diving community, added another bronze medal to her growing collection in the women’s 10m platform. Once again, the Chinese duo proved untouchable, but the British star’s consistent form, particularly on her forward 3½ somersault in pike position saw her hold firm on the podium with a score of 348.20. It follows her bronze in Guadalajara and further cements her status as one of the sport’s most reliable performers.
Hot on her heels was 17-year-old Maisie Bond, another rising star from the Sheffield Performance Centre. She impressed with a fourth-place finish in the individual platform event, narrowly missing out on a medal. But redemption came swiftly. Teaming up with Lois Toulson in the women’s 10m synchro the very next day, the British pair edged out the American duo in dramatic fashion, clinching bronze by less than a point thanks to a nerveless final dive. Their synchronisation and poise under pressure turned heads, and hinted at a formidable future partnership.
Near Misses but Signs of Progress.
Elsewhere, Olympic medallist Jack Laugher and his synchro partner Anthony Harding narrowly missed the podium in Windsor. After securing third place in Mexico with a thrilling final dive, the pair placed sixth in Canada, just four points shy of bronze in a very close competition. While slightly off the pace this time, their form shows that the margins at the top are razor-thin, and that consistency will be key heading into the final stage.
As the road to Beijing nears its climax, Team GB can take immense pride in their campaign so far. With gold, multiple bronzes, and a crop of young talent finding their stride on the global stage, British diving is not just holding its own, it’s thriving. The Super Final, set for 2–4 May in the Chinese capital, promises to be the grand finale this team deserves. And on current form, more medals could well be on the cards.
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