TAVISTOCK diver Ben Bluett took part earlier this month in the British Gas National Age Groups Diving Championships in Sheffield.

Ben, aged 9, competed in four events and the whole experience was a huge learning curve for him, his first time of entering. He was competing against older boys in the boys D age 10-11 years category.

Ben did himself proud producing some great dives amongst stiff competition from his elder peers from clubs around the country. Completely surpassing expectations in the platform event, which consisted of four dives from the 5m board including a backward 1.5 somersaults, Ben smashed his personal best by more than 28 points — finishing ninth from the 17 competitors. This now means he is ranked ninth in the country for boys aged U12s.