Stoke Newington School student Pele Julien battled through a competitive pool to take gold at the Armada Cup competition in Plymouth.

Representing Crystal Palace Diving Club, Julien was part of a 28-strong squad competing at Plymouth Life Centre and played his part in a major medal haul for the club.

The young diver from Hackney claimed his victory in the 1m springboard event and, despite finishing fourth in a pool of 28 other competitors in the preliminary round, blossomed in the final to record 131.30 points and bag the gold medal.

Mum Maria said “Pele wants to win as many competitions as possible so he can achieve his goal to become part of Team GB. We are very supportive of Pele and proud of his achievements.”

In similarly hard-fought events, Julien notched an impressive fifth in the 3m springboard and sixth in the platform as the club helped themselves to five gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals overall.

The Armada Cup success was the latest in a succession of notable performances from the year 8 student, who was returning to the scene of his National Skills Competition victory last May.

Julien already has half an eye on his long term goal of Olympic inclusion and went to the opening of the London 2012 pool in Stratford last weekend.