Back to the day job: Tom Daley puts on a Shanghai spectacular in breathtaking display with diving partner

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Bombs away! Pete Waterfield and Tom Daley are competing in Shanghai

These spectacular pictures of diving ace Tom Daley come from the world championships in Shanghai, where Tom and his partner have just qualified for the synchronised diving final.

They were taken against the backdrop of the city's harbours, and show the skills and fitness needed for Tom and Pete Waterfield to progress past the first round of the FINA World Championships.

But it nearly didn't happen, after 30-year-old Waterfield fell ill with flu-like symptoms on arriving in Shanghai.



Tense: Waterfield and Daley prepare to dive in the first round of the World Championships



Launching: The pair made it into the final of the 10m synchronised diving


However, at the last minute he was passed fit and was able to join Tom, 17, who was the individual winner at the last world championships in 2009.

The pair have been diving together since the beginning of the year, in an attempt by diving bosses to find the best pairing for the synchronised dives in time for the London Olympics.


The pair have been put together in preparation for the London Olympics



Tumbling: Tom will be hoping to replicate his success at the last World Championships



Competition: This is Tom's first contest since his father died


The current competition is Tom's first major event since the loss of his father, Rob, who died of cancer in May, aged 40.

Last week Tom paid tribute to his father's influence, saying: 'Without my dad I wouldn't have come as far as I have.



Teamwork: But the pair were nearly broken up when Waterfield fell ill



Splash! The divers were watched by a largely hostile Chinese crowd


'It's not been easy, but I'm just trying to focus all my attention on the upcoming world championships as this is what dad would have wanted.'

He is expected to be one of the major faces of next year's Olympics, and has recently signed up to front an ad campaign from Nestle.



Training: Tom is expected to be one of the stars of the 2012 Games


source: dailymail