OLYMPIC silver medallist Peter Waterfield walked away with a hat-trick of gold medals at the British National Diving Championships at the weekend - his first competition since the Athens Games, writes NEIL GOULDING.

The Southampton-based star, who won Britain's first diving medal for 44 years alongside Leon Taylor in the 10m platform synchro final in Greece last summer, won the 1m springboard, 3m springboard synchro and 10m platform finals at Ponds Forge in Sheffield over the course of the three-day event.

The 2002 Commonwealth champion also grabbed a silver medal in the 3m springboard individual competition.

However, the 24-year-old admitted afterwards that he woke up yesterday with "no energy" on the final day of competition.

"Competing in four events does take it out of you," said Waterfield. "I woke up knackered in the morning. I just didn't have any energy."

Luckily for Waterfield, he had enough energy to climb the high boards for 12 important dives which secured him the 10m platform title.

"I just haven't got anything left in the tank now," added Waterfield, who has been boosted by a four-year sponsorship deal with local business Southampton Container Terminal (SCT).

"It's been a long weekend, but it's been good to get back into the swing of things. I was looking to win all four of the events I entered, but I've not dived a lot of springboard, so I can't be too unhappy.

"Tony Ally dived well to beat me (in the 3m springboard final), but I'm glad that I showed I could dig deep when I needed too."

Next up for Waterfield is the Rostock Grand Prix in Germany (March 4-6), where he will be looking to continue his excellent start to the season in preparation for the World Championships later this year, and ultimately the defence of his 10m platform title at the 2006 Commonwealths in Melbourne.

"I'll be back in training next week and then get ready for Rostock," said Waterfield. "When I was a bit younger I could probably manage diving in four events, but I might not compete in the springboard in Germany and concentrate on the platform."

It also proved to be a good weekend for four more Southampton divers. Gary Hunt and Tom Owens won bronze in the 3m springboard synchro final, while Ellie Steel and Emily Alderman grabbed a silver in the 10m platform synchro final.