After claiming his first gold in the 3m springboard, Hirst said: "It's so exciting, I'm having butterflies!"

Hirst, who went back in training recently, said: "I'm a fitness trainer, I dive to stay in shape."

The Canadian took up diving when he was 13, the very year that Montreal hosted the Olympic Games in 1976.


Canadian Jeff Hirst in Montreal - credit: Delphine Schmutz/FINA

Hirst, who's taking part at his first Masters Worlds, said on the competition field: "The atmosphere is fun, you can really tell that people are primarily here because they love the sport of diving."

"Diving is a dangerous sport. As long as you know your capabilities, you can keep going. You have fun also challenging your limits!"