PLYMOUTH high diver Aidan Heslop will go into this month’s World Championships in confident mood after victory at the recent Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Polignano a Mare in Italy.

Heslop produced an impressive comeback to claim his first series win of 2023.

In the competition he posted one of the highest scoring single dives ever to claim his third career win.

After the opening day, Heslop had found himself down in 10th place, but he crept into the top three with a stunning third round dive from the 27m platform, scoring 132.6 points.

Then, armed with his forward four somersaults and three-and-a-half twists pike – a weapon that has been hit and miss for him over the last 12 months – the 21-year-old powered into a commanding lead in front of 40,000 spectators with a massive scoring dive of 161.2, before nervously watching his rivals attempt to reel him in.

“Honestly, it’s probably the best comeback I’ve ever done in my life,” said Heslop afterwards.

“I didn’t give myself a very good start. I mean, 10th place out of 12 is really not where I want to be but I managed to bring it back.”

The victory was a perfect response to a ninth place finish in Paris last month and will be a confidence booster ahead of the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, which begin tomorrow with the pool diving.

The high diving competition will take place between July 25 and 27.