Spendolini-Sirieix gold wraps up England’s best diving Commonwealth Games

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix takes a selfie with fellow mixed synchro medallists. Left to right: England’s Kyle Kothari (silver), Spendolini-Sirieix (gold), Lois Toulson (silver), Noah Williams (gold), Australia’s Emily Boyd and Cassiel Rousseau (bronze). Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

For five long days of competition in Birmingham, the best divers in England were almost untouchable. As the final Commonwealth Games medals were handed out, though, they allowed themselves just one atrocious dive each to close. Together, Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, Noah Williams, Kyle Kothari and Lois Toulson walked towards Sandwell Aquatics Centre’s diving pool where they expertly performed celebratory belly flops in unison.

They had much to celebrate. Moments earlier, the breakthrough Games of the 17-year-old Spendolini‑Sirieix had a perfect conclusion as she paired up with Williams to win her second gold medal in the mixed synchro. As she did in her individual exploits, they dominated the field, scoring 333.06 to win by 14.52 points ahead of Kothari and Toulson in an English one-two finish.