'Unexpected medal' stokes Olympic flame for Penman

Penman missed out on gold by just 1.55 points to Andrzej Rzeszutek of Poland - who is 15 years his senior

Scottish diver Noah Penman says a surprise European Championships silver medal is a huge confidence builder as he chases his Olympic dream.

The 18-year-old, who was making his first senior individual appearance at a major event, narrowly missed out on gold in the men's 3m springboard final in Turkey.

"It was an unexpected medal," he told BBC Scotland. "Most of the other guys in the competition were a few years older.

"The main goal was to gain experience of being in that senior competition environment, so to come away with a medal is great.

"To go out there and do what I love doing and to bring the medal home, it gives me great confidence to go into the season and the coming years toward the Los Angeles Olympics [in 2028].

"GB is a great diving nation, so to make that team is a very difficult task but I think getting the silver puts me in good stead to push on further, to make those world teams and go to the Olympics."

Having shown real promise as a gymnast in his childhood, Penman made the sporting switch when his diving potential was spotted while in his final year at primary school in Aberdeen.

Two European silvers and a bronze followed at junior level.

"I think gymnastics built a great base for me to go into diving," explained the Aberdeen Grammar School pupil, who is on his way to Edinburgh University.

"I started diving a bit later, through a talent identification programme where coaches from the local club go round the schools recruiting future prospects.

"I quickly turned to diving once I realised the love I had for the sport."