World Aquatics Championships: Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding claim silver in Fukuoka

Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding won a World Championship silver in their first major competition as a partnership in 2022.

British pair Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding claimed their second successive World Aquatics Championships silver medal in the men's 3m synchro at the Fukuoka Prefectural Pool in Japan.

Behind Chinese pair Wang Zongyuan and Long Daoyi, their finish means Laugher and Harding have guaranteed their Olympic quota spot in Paris 2024.

The result emulates the duo's silver at the World Championships last year, their first major competition as a partnership.

Laugher and Harding have struggled for fitness this year, with both suffering injuries that have disrupted their season.

"It's been a hugely stressful day," said Laugher, 28.

"I've had a terrible knee which still is not 100% at all, Anthony had two massive injuries as well in the pre-season, so this year has been, in comparison to last year, not smooth sailing at all.

"It's been a very emotional day with some dropped dives here and there, but we're really happy overall."

The duo were thrilled to make the 2024 Olympic Games, and believe that qualifying early will stand them in good stead for their next major competition, February's World Championships in Doha.

"We got through it, we're warriors and we've done our job," said Harding, 23.

"It's a massive weight off our shoulders. It means we can have a proper pre-season, we don't have to rush into that competition [Doha]."

Laugher and Harding's most-recent medals mean that in just over one year together, the Adam Smallwood-coached duo have won two World Championship silvers, a European title, a Commonwealth gold and two Diving World Cup silvers.