Port Noarlunga diver Samantha Mills wins two medals at World University Games

EMERGING diving star Samantha Mills' ability to execute a dive her competitors were afraid to attempt was the key to her gold medal at the World University Games in Russia.

EMERGING diving star Samantha Mills' ability to execute a dive her competitors were afraid to attempt was the key to her gold medal at the World University Games in Russia last week.

In what was the biggest result of the Port Noarlunga resident's short career, the former gymnast won the 1m springboard event in Kazan, beating highly-credentialed competitors from across the world.

Mills was the only diver in the competition to attempt a reverse 2 ½ somersault and executed the dive well.

The high score she received due to its degree of difficulty proved the key to her triumph.

"I knew if I could nail my hardest dive I had a good chance of being up there," Mills said.

"I knew that no (competitors) had that high a degree of difficulty.

"I knew the field was pretty open. Anything could happen really.''

Mills capped off a brilliant week by also winning silver in the 3m synchro event with her teammate Esther Fan Qin.

The pair finished about 23 points behind China's gold medal combination.

Mills also finished seventh in the 3m springboard event.

The 21-year-old, who was a gymnast through her childhood and early teens, briefly turned to pole vaulting before switching again to diving five years ago.

A diving injury curtailed any chance she had of ­qualifying for last year's London Olympics.

But Mills has taken her form to another level this year, with impressive results on the US and Canada grand prix circuit and at the Australian World Championship Trials.

She continued her good form in Russia and said she was thrilled with the performance.

"I can't stop smiling," she said.

"Everyone keeps asking me, 'how do you feel?'

"I'm so happy."