Jack Laugher held his nerve to claim the first of a possible three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.

The Olympic champion has been watching fellow Rio stars find that gold is far from guaranteed at these Games.

But insists he felt no extra pressure to deliver as he started his campaign with a confident victory in diving's 1m springboard.

Triathlete Alistair Brownlee couldn't defend his title while swimmer Adam Peaty and gymnast Max Whitlock both lost unbeaten records in specialty events.

However, Laugher seized control of the final and led from first dive to last dive as Australia's James Connor took silver ahead of James Heatly, the first Scot to win a Commonwealth diving medal since grandfather Peter, who passed away in 2015.

"I've been struggling with injuries all year and it's been a terrible time," admitted Laugher.

"I've only had a couple of weeks training leading into and defending a title is tough, so I'm really proud.

"It means so much to win for England. I don't feel a responsibility to win, I'm not responsible for winning every time, I just need to put the effort, time, focus and dedication in to try and get the medals.

"The Commonwealth Games mean a lot to me, I've watched them since I was kid and they've always been a huge highlight in my four-year cycle. It was difficult to come out here as defending champion but I trusted myself and felt strong and confident."

In Glasgow four years ago, Laugher struck 1m springboard gold but couldn't follow up in the 3m event - his signature - the event in which he claimed Olympic silver two years ago.

And he won't have long to wait, with the second leg of his hat-trick today.

"It's nice to get this out the way," he admitted.

"The 3m is obviously my main board but I'm a little bit nervous for it because it's my first international competition of the year. I've got silvers from the Olympic, Europeans and Commonwealth in the 3m springboard, it would be nice to have a gold."

Heatly, who won gold, silver and bronze at the European Games in Baku, was clearly emotional after ending Scotland's long wait for a diving medal.

"It means everything as obviously my grandfather was a diver so to bring another medal back and to be the first Scottish diver to do it since him is incredible. I can't ask for much more.

"I'm overwhelmed and I'm so happy. This is the first Games that he's not been involved with since he passed."

Alicia Blagg admitted she was stunned after winning silver in the women's 3m springboard with England team-mate Kath Torrance.

Blagg won gold in Glasgow with Rebecca Gallantree but has endured a torrid time since making her Olympic debut in Rio.

Injuries, surgeries, she even thought she'd have to quit the sport. In addition she only started training with Torrance two years ago.

"It's crazy what we've done out there," she said.

"I know I could have dived a lot better but what I saw Kath was incredible and she really held her own. I'm really proud of her."

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