How's the training coming along, Tom? Champion diver appears distracted as he prepares for the World Championships

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 2:26 PM on 15th July 2011


As an athlete competing at the very top tier of his sport, Tom Daley has to put in hours of practise to hone his craft and ensure that he has the necessary skills to take gold in the World Championships.

However, his training session today was a little more relaxed than you might expect from someone so close to beginning his path to glory.

The 17-year-old chilled out and gave his eyes a spot of training as he perched himself next to a female team mate in Shanghai, China.

Eyes trained firmly on his team mate: Tom Daley talks with Tonia Couch during a training session prior to the start of the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China

Tom took some much deserved time out during a training session in the Chinese city, chatting with Tonia Couch as they both soaked up the Asian sun.

And it wasn't just the twosome who were in a more chilled out mood.

Other members of the team were also happy to spend time chatting with one another and having fun, rather than taking their training too seriously.

Midway through one of Tom's team mates decided to dive bomb into the water in front of them, splashing them all as he plunged through the surface.

Later the champion diver was seen frolicking with another female friend, attempting to throw her in the pool before pulling off his own comedy dive into the water.

It was a sure sign the team are feeling confident and relaxed ahead of the championships.

Up in the air: Tom and Tonia are completely unaware as their team mate leaps above them and dive bombs into the pool

Splash down: The water hits the twosome with Tom spinning around as he gets a soaking

Tom will be aiming to retain his World Championship title, which he won back in 2009.

The teen also won gold medals in the Commonwealth and British Championships.

He'll be competing in the 10m diving contest and the 10m synchronised dive, where he's expected to repeat the success of previous championships.

All washed up: Tom messes around with a team mate putting soap into her hair

Tom was struck by tragedy earlier this year when his father lost a five-year long battle with cancer.
Mr Daley followed his son's promising career around the world despite his battle with cancer.
Rob was famed for being at poolside for every one of his son's competitive dives, although sadly had to miss the Commonwealth games due to his ill health.

Up, up and away: The diver flies through the air as he frolics around the pool

He had been undergoing chemotherapy when his son travelled to the games and watched the victories at home in Plymouth after doctors advised him not to go because of the heightened risk of infection.

Mr Daley was first diagnosed with brain cancer five years ago and thought he had beaten the condition after surgeons removed a large tumour.

But a routine scan in February 2010 showed the disease had began to spread again and he underwent a second bout of chemotherapy.

Water boy: The teen splashes down into the pool while Tonie covers her face

His determination to support his son remained, however, and he made a late dash to Sheffield with his family in April this year to watch Tom and synchro partner Peter Waterfield claim their first ever gold medal together in the World Series.

Before the final of the meeting Tom was pictured in the crowd hugging his crying father, who had been determined to watch his son dive at next year's Olympics in London.

Mr Daley wore a t-shirt that night which read "Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning" with Tom saying after the event: "I am his oil".

No doubt he'll do his father proud in the competition this year.


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