- The duo managed to avoid third place after being tied earlier in the match
- After Daley’s partner Noah Williams burst into tears during an interview
- He admitted it was an emotional moment after the death of a former coach
Tom Daley’s diving partner Noah Williams burst into tears after the duo won a silver medal at the Olympic Games.
On Monday morning, the Team GB duo took second place in the men’s 10m synchronised diving event after an impressive performance at the Aquatic Centre.
It was especially emotional for Williams, who couldn’t hold back his tears after the death of his former coach Dave Jenkins.
Speak about BBC OneWilliams said: ‘It means a lot to me, from third to last. My coach passed away after Tokyo so I don’t want to talk too much because I’ll cry. I’m happy, I’m happy.’
Asked how he thought Jenkins would have viewed his performance, Williams replied: “Probably quite proud. Would you like to speak for me?”
Tom Daley’s (left) diving partner Noah Williams (right) burst into tears after the pair won a silver medal at the Olympic Games
Williams discussed the death of his former coach Dave Jenkins after they won silver
Jenkins (pictured), 31, who worked with Daley and Williams, died in October 2021
Williams appeared overcome with emotion before Daley intervened and continued his post-dive speech with the reporter.
He said, “I’ve never seen Noah cry in my entire life, and I know how much this means to him.
‘Dave played a major role in Noah’s diving success and career, it is very sad that he will not be able to experience this anymore.
“But I know Dave and my dad would be very proud if we did such a good job and won a silver medal.”
Jenkins passed away in October 2021 and the impact on Williams was such that he considered quitting the sport altogether.
In May he said: ‘A big part of this (Olympic) cycle was done in his memory. I wanted to stop after he passed away.
Daley and Williams took a notable silver medal in the men’s 10m synchronised diving
David was the Development Lead Coach for Dive London, overseeing the progression of the next generation of elite athletes at the London Aquatics Centre (LAC) (pictured with Tom Daley in February 2019)
‘It’s hard when someone who is my biggest motivator, he trained me for events, passes away.
‘I really didn’t enjoy diving after that. It would still have been very different if he had just stopped, diving would have been different, but because he passed away, it was a lot to process.
‘It was the first time in my life that I experienced something like that.’
Williams and Daley scored a nerve-wracking 53.40 in the first compulsory dive to top the leaderboard, before Chinese duo Junjie Lian and Hao Jang, the pre-event favourites, impressed with a dive that earned a score of 56.40.
In the second round, Daley and Williams remained consistent with a score of 51.60, bringing their total to a solid 105.00, putting them level with Canada, while China extended their lead to nine points.
Daley and Williams took second place today in the men’s 10-meter synchronized diving
As the competitors moved on to the optional dives, the British duo showed their class by putting in a majestic performance, breaking away from the Canadians to record a score of 83.52, before a stunning fourth dive to earn an impressive score of 93.96.
As they approached the climax of the competition, Daley and Williams remained calm under pressure with a dive that earned the judges a score of 87.72 in the fifth and penultimate round.
A spectacular high-risk dive in the sixth round, which gave Daley and Williams a score of 93.24, was enough to secure second place.