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Moortown boy's tilt at diving glory
Moortown's own Matthew Lee is set to take on the world in an international diving competition.
The 11-year-old is thought to be the youngest UK competitor taking part in the four-day International Camo Invitational, which gets under way on Thursday in Montreal, Canada.
Matthew, who trains with the City of Leeds diving club, has won five golds and a silver in two national contests already this year.
Now he will compete in the under-13s category at three heights – the 1m and 3m springboard, and the 5m platform.
Not only will this be his first international competition, but the first time that he has flown to North America.
"I am a bit worried, it's a long way away," said Matthew, who attends Carr Manor High School in Moortown.
He added: "We practise all the time and just before my competition I'll just relax and go into my mind."
Matthew, who has been diving since he was six, was inspired by his older brother Thomas, 17.
"My brother dived before me and when I went on a diving camp to try it I really liked it," he said.
"When I first started I didn't like jumping off 5m boards but now it doesn't bother me.
"I'm not allowed to compete at 10m yet. I have dived from sitting at that height but it took me ages to get the confidence to do it."
Going with Matthew to Canada is proud dad Tim, 49, a technician at Leeds University.
"It's very difficult to know what standard the other competitors will be," he said.
"He did well in Barcelona earlier this year and only just missed out on a medal in his age group."
Matthew trains seven times a week with the City of Leeds Diving Club at John Charles Aquatic Centre in south Leeds – largely due to the dedication of his mum Helen, who takes him.
Earlier this year he won three golds at the G Star Championships, a national diving competition run by Leeds City Diving Club, and a further two golds and silver in the British Junior Elite Championships held in Sheffield.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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