Showing posts with label Sarah Barrow. Show all posts

Thursday, 31 July 2014

England's Sarah Barrow and Tonia Couch win synchronised diving silver

England's Sarah Barrow and Tonia Couch win synchronised diving silver after just missing out on top spot on the final dive

10-metre platform pair were leading for four of five dives
Only China were missing from the field that entered the Worlds
Canada ended up coming out on top, less than four points ahead
They thought they would finish fifth so were happy with second spot
The English duo cooled off in the showers while waiting for their points after the electronic scoring system broke down

PUBLISHED: 15:30, 30 July 2014 | UPDATED: 10:02, 31 July 2014

England's Sarah Barrow and Tonia Couch were satisfied with Commonwealth Games silver despite having led the women's synchronised 10-metre platform heading into the last round.

The Plymouth pair were in front after four of their five dives on day one of the diving competition at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh.

But, in a competitive field missing only China from the 2013 World Championships podium in the event, were overtaken on the final dive as Canada's Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion won gold with a score of 310.65.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Commonwealth Games: Barrow and Couch win diving silver

Beautiful dive: Tonia Couch (top) and Sarah Barrow perform a perfectly synchronised dive in Edinburgh

All smiles: The two English girls celebrate their silver medals despite just missing out on the top prize

Cooling off: Couch showers after another successful dive during Wednesday's final

Tuck in: Couch and Barrow certainly impressed and were unfortunate to miss out to the Canadians

Barrow and Couch finished with a score of 306.96 and Malaysia's Pamg Pandelela Rinong and Sabri Nur Dhabitah, with 300.12, claimed bronze.

Couch said: 'We were competing against silver and bronze medallists from the Worlds (in 2013 in Barcelona). We're really pleased to come second.

'We thought we might come fifth. We're really pleased with silver.

'We haven't been training the best this week. We went into competition and pulled it out the bag.'

There was a delayed start to the second event of the day due to a technical issue related to the judges' electronic scoring systems.

It meant the divers could not follow their progress on the scoreboard.

Commonwealth Games: Barrow and Couch win diving silver

Like fish to water: Couch and Barrow were brilliant off the 10m platform at the Royal Commonwealth Pool

Disappointment: It must have been hard to take the silver after losing out on top spot after four dives

Loyal supporter: Tom Daley was in Edinburgh cheering on the two English girls with a flag

Barrow and Couch brushed aside the delay, but felt their final dive, a back two-and-a-half somersault with one-and-a-half twists, was scored low at 69.12 by the judges as the Canadian pair took gold.

'We had an inkling that we were leading,' Barrow said. 'Normally we do our last dive pretty well, so a little bit disappointed with that.

'They (the judges) didn't seem to be on our side. We're pretty happy with silver.

'Our training wasn't brilliant, so we're pretty pleased with a medal.'

Couch added: 'The judges were a little bit low on our last dive.'

Still winners: Barrow and Couch were great on the day but lost out on their fifth of five dives

Twelve out of 14 divers progressed from the men's 1m springboard preliminaries, the final of which takes place on Wednesday evening.

Three Englishmen advanced, with Jack Laugher, a former world junior champion, going through in first place with 435.30.

Chris Meares, who recovered from life-saving surgery to remove a ruptured spleen suffered while diving in 2009, finished with 383.40 in third place to advance, with Australia's Matthew Mitcham, scoring 383.65, second.

Perfection: The English pair plunge towards the pool from the high board

Freddie Woodward saved his best dive till last to total 365.45 in fourth place, while Yona Knight-Wisdom, who is representing Jamaica but was born in Leeds, scored 333.10 to progress in eighth.

James Heatly, grandson of five-time Games diving medallist Sir Peter Heatly, was 10th entering the final round, but left his most difficult dive until last, an inward two-and-a-half somersault.

The 17-year-old from Edinburgh scored 54.25 to total 317.65 and advance in 10th place.

Close but no cigar: The Canadian duo of Meaghan Benfeito and Resline Filion came out on top in the end

Wednesday, 8 May 2013

Tom Daley and Tonia Couch enjoy some downtime on the beach as they take a break from Grand Prix diving training in Florida

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 23:34, 7 May 2013 | UPDATED: 10:54, 8 May 2013

They're working hard to ensure they're ready for the USA Grand Prix in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this weekend.

But on Tuesday, Tom Daley and teammate Tonia Couch took a break from their rigorous training sessions to enjoy some downtime on the beach.

Tom, 18, wore a pair of striped board shorts as he lapped up the sunshine and splashed around in the sea while making the most of the rare break.

Downtime: Tom Daley and his Team GB pal Tonia Couch enjoyed a break from diving training with a trip to the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Flroida, on Tuesday

Tanned and toned: Tom, 18, and 23-year-old Tonia showed off their muscular physiques in their swimwear

Tonia, meanwhile, showed off her toned figure in a bright pink strapless bikini, tying her hair back as she larked around on the beach with her teammates.

Despite Tom and 23-year-old Tonia frequently being at the centre of romance rumours, they have always denied being anything other than good friends.

The pair are currently preparing for this weekend's USA Grand Prix, which will see them dive alongside teammate Sarah Barrow.

Splashing around: Tom and Tonia enjoyed a dip in the sea with some of their teammates as they made the most of the rare break

Say cheese! Tom was keen to get a photo taken of himself with Tonia and fellow Team GB star Sarah Barrow

Another video? Tom famously shot his version of LMFAO's Sexy And You Know It with his mates on the beach

Soaking up the sunshine: Both Tom and Tonia shared pictures of heir beach bodies on Twitter

Team GB coach Andy Banks said of the competition: 'Tom is doing just the individual 10m platform while Tonia and Sarah are booked to dive in both the synchro and solo events.

'It'll be a good test for them and there is bound to be a lot of very good athletes all looking to do well, too.'

Arriving at training earlier in the day, Tom appeared to be doing his utmost to put his baby face reputation behind him by sporting an unshaven chin and top lip as he completed his diving practice.

The name's Daley... Tom Daley: The diver channelled Daniel Craig's James Bond as he emerged from the water

Happy days: Tom enjoyed the Miami beach in striped swim shorts and Ray Ban sunglasses

The athlete looked all grown up as he showed off his dishevelled look, with the beginnings of a beard and moustache peeping through.

Still sporting a tight pair of trunks and showing off his chiselled body, the tanned teenager was seen pulling a variety of poses as he threw himself off the diving board in the sunny state,

As a heartthrob to many, his TV show Splash!, which was aired at the start of this year, was a delight for many, as week after week he stripped down to his tiny trunks to dive with celebrity competitors.

New look: Tom was earlier seen at diving practice sporting an unshaven look

All grown up: The 18-year-old will wow his legion of fans with his dishevelled look

Rough and ready: Tom Daley was spotted with some of his British teammates at diving practice in America

Clean shaven: Daley showed no trace of stubble at the London Olympic Games

It would seem that Daley's golden touch - and perhaps his enviable physique - can turn even excruciatingly bad television lambasted by critics as 'horrendous' and 'idiotic' to must-have viewing.

But the ratings suggest ITV1's Splash! has become a guilty pleasure for the nation.

The second episode of the much-ridiculed show which sees celebrities dive for glory under the mentorship of Olympic medallist Daley pulled in a remarkable 5.15 million viewers – making it the most watched programme on a Saturday night.

No shaving? Tom Dalety usually shows off his clean shaven baby face but opted for facial hair on Monday

Going for the unshaven look: Tom got out of the water in his blue trunks looking pensive

New look? He usually appears with a baby face but seems to be going for a manly look more recently

Dancing on the diving board: Tonia also shared a picture of herself and Tom having a boogie before their dives

Audiences have admitted that Splash became a 'guilty pleasure' despite the widespread criticism.

In April whipped the mostly-teenage sell-out crowd into hysterics on his way to winning the 10 metre platform at the World Series in Edinburgh.

Daley attracted the first 10s of the three-day meet en route to his success - in his first major competition since memorably winning bronze in London eight months ago.

But while he had the full approval of his adoring fans, and the judges who twice awarded him full marks, Daley offered a more cautious outlook on a performance that earned a healthy 542.15 score.

The athlete looked all grown up as he showed off his dishevelled look, with the beginnings of a beard and moustache peeping through

Still got it: The athlete showed he had lost none of his skills that earned him a Bronze medal at the London Olympics

Show off: Tom showed off his best moves as he got in and out of the water with his impressive skills

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Tonia couch and Sarah Barrow wearing Jones + Jones at SPOTY Awards + Tom Daley

Dec
18

jones + jones spotted at the SPOTY awards..

by Shadie

The Sports Personality of the Year awards took place on Sunday evening and saw the UK’s finest sports men and woman be honoured for their talents displayed during this momentous sporting year by the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge and David Beckham. In attendance on the night was Olympic diver Tom Daley who was joined by his oh-so-gorgeous team mates Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow who looked stunning in their jones + jones dresses..

Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow wear jones + jones dresses

Tonia Couch, Tom Daley and Sarah Barrow

The three Olympic divers were joined by Leandro Penna

Sarah looked amazing in the jones + jones Nicky black sequin dress which has a net-trimmed petticoat, statement bow and an edgy cut-out sequin bodice which allows a glimpse of just enough shimmering skin! Tonia looked equally stunning in the jones + jones Laura Cafe Creme sequin dress which she teamed with some strappy heels, a sleek ponytail and bright lip ..

Tonia Couch wears the jones + jones Laura Cafe Creme sequin dress

Tonia in the Laura Dress in Cafe Creme sequin

You can steal the girls party-perfect style as both dresses are currently available on thejones + jones site and at our all new Spitalfields boutique!

With love, jones + jones x

Images courtesy of Daily Mail, Tom Daley and Tonia Couch

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Barrow and Couch miss out on diving medal as Team GB pair finish fifth in synchro final

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 15:56, 31 July 2012 | UPDATED: 16:30, 31 July 2012

Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow failed to end Great Britain's half-century wait for a female Olympic diving medallist after a disappointing performance in the 10 metre platform synchro.

The Plymouth-born duo, who have known each other since childhood, had entered the competition with hopes of a medal after they were crowned European champions in May.

No medal: Barrow and Couch were unable to make an impression at the top of the leaderboard

They began strongly to be second after the opening two compulsory dives but then immediately missed their next inward three-and-a-half somersault to drop down to sixth.

It left them with too much ground to make up as they had to be content with fifth place - short of their realistic podium aim after they won bronze in the same company at the World Cup in this same pool in February.

Chen Ruolin and Wang Hao were comfortable winners, to claim China's third gold medal in as many events at the diving pool so far, ahead of Mexico and Canada.

Couch and Barrow have enjoyed a record-breaking 12 months after finishing fourth at last year's World Championships in Shanghai.

Heartbreak: Barrow (left) and Couch have missed out on the medals

They then ended Britain's 74-year wait for a female European champion in Eindhoven while also claiming bronze at the World Cup.

They continued that form through the opening two dives today to be second, however, like their male counterparts Tom Daley and Peter Waterfield their medal hopes were dashed on one missed dive.

Head start: But the duo slipped to sixth after a disappointing third round

Barrow over-rotated on the third dive to draw scores as low as 5.5 and there was no way back for the pair who have known each other since joining the same gymnastics class in Plymouth 16 years ago.

Their disappointment also meant Britain could not celebrate a first female Olympic diving medallist since 1960.

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

British Olympic babes going for gold

You've heard of Victoria Pendleton and Jessica Ennis... now meet the OTHER Olympic babes going for gold

By BIANCA LONDON

PUBLISHED: 11:58, 24 July 2012 | UPDATED: 16:01, 24 July 2012

With just three days to go until the biggest sporting event in British history kicks off in the capital, the female athletes are preparing to showcase the trim and toned physiques they have trained hard to hone.

Some of the stars have already made their names as GB poster girls with heptathlete Jessica Ennis gracing the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine and cyclist Victoria Pendleton stripping down for GQ readers.

But there are plenty more female sports stars who make Lycra just as glamorous as the popular faces we know and love.

JENNA RANDALL, SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

WHEN TO WATCH HER: 5, 6 AND 9 AUGUST

Olympic hopeful Jenna Randall, who is famous for her lovely legs, captains the Team GB synchronised swimmers

Jenna, 22, tweeted a photo of herself sitting by the pool with teammate Katie Skelton during training in Malta earlier this month

First up is the captain of Britain's synchronised swimming team, Jenna Randall.

She's normally seen in her training swimsuits with an unflattering clip on her nose as she competes in the water but the Olympic hopeful recently made a splash by featuring in a new sexy photo shoot ahead of the London Games.

The 23-year-old, from Ascot, Berkshire, posed as the new face - and legs - of Braun's Silk-epil Xpressive Pro epilator.

Jenna, who won two silver medals for different solo and duo events at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 said: 'My legs are my favourite part of my body because they're the most toned.'

The swimmer shows off her enviable legs as the face of the latest epilator range from Braun

She will be competing in this summer's Olympic Games in London and previously performed for David Walliams at his wedding to supermodel Lara Stone last year.

One of Jenna's performances was also used as a backdrop to a Kylie Minogue concert when she projected the footage on to a screen as part of her recent world tour.

Jenna previously scrubbed up for a number of sexy images as she posed for a charity calendar last year.

The star, along with other female Olympic hopefuls, showed off the results of their hard work for lingerie firm Nichole de Carle London - a far cry from their upcoming uniforms.

ZARA DAMPNEY AND SHAUNA MULLIN, BEACH VOLLEYBALL

WHEN TO WATCH THEM: 8 AND 9 AUGUST

Women's beach volleyball will be among the hottest tickets in town next summer, ranking alongside the men's 100m showdown in popularity.

Pretty pairing Zara Dampney and Shauna Mullin will be donning their smallest briefs and crop tops for the event.

Zara Dampney, 24, and Shauna Mullin, 26, are so in demand that they are renting out their rears in an advertising deal that encourages spectators to photograph their behinds.

Britain's female beach volleyball champions Shauna Mullin and Zara Dampney are renting out their rears

The bikini-clad duo will be the only European pairing at Visa FIVB Beach Volleyball International, which kicks off on August 9 and has attracted interest from the world's best teams including America, Brazil and Australia.

But Dampney, a law graduate and Mullin, who has a degree in marketing, are determined to get away from the 'Baywatch with Balls' image and be recognised for their sport not their sex.

Shauna Mullin shows off her toned stomach

Zara Dampney has a slender yet muscular physique

Both women took up indoor volleyball at school before switching to the beach event when the Olympic programme was set up after London won the bid in 2005.

LAURA BECHTOLSHEIMER, DRESSAGE

WHEN TO WATCH HER: 7 AND 9 AUGUST

Riding high for Team GB is dressage champion Laura Bechtolsheimer.

The 27-year-old granddaughter of a billionaire rides in high circles and is dating polo playing Mark Tomlinson, who took her along to the Royal Wedding last year.

Laura Bechtolsheimer is riding royalty and counts the Duchess of Cambridge as a friend

Laura is our equestrian Olympic hopeful this summer and millions will watch as she rides for victory

Laura Bechtolsheimer started riding when she was three, concentrating on eventing before switching to dressage in her teens.

She is the youngest ever British National champion, having won the title aged 20, and is the only member of the London 2012 team to have competed at Beijing 2008.

Laura will ride the same horse, Mistral Hojris, and in 2010 she became Great Britain’s first-ever individual World Championship silver medallist.

When she retires she hopes to set up her own horse safari company in South Africa.

GEORGINA CASSAR, RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

WHEN TO WATCH HER: 11 AND 12 AUGUST

Georgina Cassar is the youngest of the babes.

At just 18, she is an experienced gymnastic international competitor who represented Gibraltar at the Delhi Commonwealth Games and who has now relocated to Bath to train full time with the group.

With resemblances to Georgina Salpa and Cheryl Cole, the tanned, brunette gymnast will not be short of attention this summer.

Rhythmic gymnast Georgina Cassar, 18, has been likened to a 'young Cheryl Cole'

Georgina has sacrificed a lot for her career.

She has had to move from her hometown of Gibraltar, lived independently, switched schools and given up many birthdays and parties by committing to training throughout Christmas.

But she wouldn't change anything, she told Lloyds Bank in a recent interview.

Georgina says she has made many sacrifices to pursue her Olympic dream

Georgina has had to move from her hometown of Gibraltar, lived away from her family, switched schools and given up many birthdays and parties in order to train hard for this event of a lifetime

TONIA COUCH AND SARAH BARROW, DIVING

WHEN TO WATCH THEM: 28, 29 AND 30 JULY; 1, 5, 7, 9, 11 AUGUST

The female answers to Tom Daley come in the form of European champions Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow.

Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow are the beautiful blondes who have been diving together for years

Tonia Couch, left, and Sarah Barrow are the beautiful blondes who have been diving together for years

The 23 and 24-year-olds will dive together for Olympic glory in London - 16 years after they first became friends as schoolkids in a gymnastics class.

The Plymouth-born duo are hotly-tipped to snatch an Olympic medal in the women's 10 metre synchro platform following a record-breaking 12 months.

After finishing fourth at the World Championships last year, 2012 has been a watershed year for the radiant blondes.

Tonia Couch, a close friend of Tom Daley, is regularly snapped for shoots in her swimwear

GOLD STANDARD GIRLS: WHEN YOU CAN CHEER THEM ON

5, 6 and 9 August: Jenna Randall and the synchronised swimming team

9 and 12 August: Rosie Morris and the waterpolo team

8 and 9 August: Zara Dampney and Shauna Mullin in beach volleyball

7 and 9 August: Laura Bechtolsheimer in dressage

11 and 12 August: Georgina Cassar and the rhythmic gymnasts

28, 29 and 30 July and 1, 5, 7, 9 and 11 August: Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow diving

AND LEST WE FORGET...

Olympic gold medallist cyclist Victoria Pendleton

Star attractions: Heptathlete Jessica Ennis has garnered much media coverage ahead of the Olympic Games

Star attractions: Cyclist Victoria Pendleton, left, and heptathlete Jessica Ennis, right, have garnered much media coverage ahead of the Olympic Games

Winner: Victoria Pendleton in action on the indoor cycle track

Speed: Jessica Ennis winning a hurdles race

Speed: Jessica Ennis showing off the form that landed her a place in the Olympic Games

KATCHING MY I

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Thursday, 31 July 2014