Heroic Daley battles injury to finish sixth in World final

Plagued by injury over the past few months, Tom Daley battled through the pain of a recurring tricep problem to finish a creditable sixth in the men's 10m platform at the World Aquatic Championships in Bacrelona.

China's Qui Bo (581) won gold with Olympic champion David Boudia (517) second and Sascha Klein (508.55) third. Daley, the 2009 world champion scored 470.60 points.

In fifth place after two rounds, the 19-year-old Plymouth diver produced a heroic dive, scoring 99 for his back 3.5 somersault and finding himself in the bronze medal position going into rounds four and five.

In contention for a medal, he then fell back to sixth going into the final round where he scored just 61.05 for the reverse 3.5 somersault routine, usually one of his strongest dives.

The performance was remarkable given Daley's injury flare-up and a build-up to the World Championships in Barcelona which was hampered by injury and illness. He tore the tricep in April and suffered an elbow injury shortly after, missing the European Championships and two world competition events as a result.

Shortly before the start of the World Championships the Olympic bronze medallist played down his chances of reaching the podium and revealed he had been struggling to train due to a glandular illness.

Despite only just recovering from injury in time to compete, Daley said he was determined to give it his "best shot".

He is now expected to take a break from the sport before preparation begins for 2014.