Toulson eager to make Commonwealth Games debut

Toulson won mixed 10m synchro silver at July's World Championships alongside fellow City of Leeds diver Matty Lee – the duo's maiden medal on the global stage.

But after her Olympic debut in 2016 and her exploits in Budapest this summer her progression shows no sign of slowing down with a spot at next year's Commonwealth Games – on Australia's Gold Coast – a realistic possibility.

And after competing at all major events barring the Commonwealths, 18-year-old Toulson is excited to complete the set.

"It would be my first Commonwealth Games, so it would be an experience, I'd love to know what it's all about," she said.

"And obviously just being on the Gold Coast as well would be amazing, so hopefully I can compete in the synchro and individual if I get selected – it would be amazing.

"It's going to be a really long season so I've been working with my coach to try and organise little breaks in between the Commonwealths and the Europeans to give the body a rest.

"From 10m it can be quite hard, so hopefully we've planned it well and it will all turn out good."

With the Commonwealth Games in April and the European Championships following in August, Toulson has multiple chances to add to her burgeoning international medal total.

And while medals may be the end goal, Toulson knows that the addition of more difficult dives to her repertoire could result in short-term pain but end up in greater capacity for future success.

"I definitely want to add in some bigger dives next year so that will help my individual event, hopefully getting my PB up," she added.

"Then looking ahead to the Europeans, whenever they come to a home city it's amazing because the home support just really gets you going and ready for the event, it will be amazing."

But before she turns her focus to 2018 and the events to come, Toulson is still waiting for her world silver medal, from this year, to sink in.

"It still feels amazing, it was my first World Championships so it was a great experience and doing three events, instead of just usually focusing on my synchro with Tonia [Couch], was good fun," she added.

"I really enjoyed the mixed synchro with Matty and after coming away with a silver medal it turns out to be one of my favourite events now!"

Toulson's results in 2017 have seen her nominated for British Swimming's Diving Athlete of the Year award, sponsored by GLL, alongside Tom Daley, Grace Reid and Lee.

And the teen paid tribute to the support team that helped her onto a World Championship podium.

"It means a lot to be recognised against all the great athletes because obviously we put so much time and effort in and a lot of sacrifice's go in to what we do," she concluded.

"Just to be noticed and nominated is amazing.

"It would just be amazing, that people actually believe in me and that I must be doing something right.

"We've got a massive and a great support network, I think it really helps us as individuals become the best athletes that we can."