Monique Glad to hit top form

Monique Gladding says she is in the form of her life after storming into the platform final at the European Diving Championships in Eindhoven.

The 30-year-old qualified in fourth place, although she was able to ease off for her final two dives after leading midway through the competition.

Gladding's performance was in contrast to team-mate Stacie Powell, who had to recover from a forgettable start to scrape through to the 12-woman final.

But Gladding's performance marked her as a genuine medal prospect and, after reaching the World Cup final in February, left her admitting she has never dived better during a decade-long career.

"I've always had glimpses of this but I think I am really in a good place where I'm constantly repeating it, to certain degrees," she said.

"There's still stuff I can improve on every time and there's still stuff that is recurring that I can feel positive about.

"It's just good to keep repeating and showing the (Olympic) selectors that I can be on the team.

"That's the big one we're working towards in the summer."

Gladding is fast pressing her case for inclusion at what would be her first Olympics, with selection to be finalised after trials in Sheffield next month.

Should Gladding qualify it would complete a remarkable return after she was close to death at a meet in Russia 15 months ago.

Gladding had to be rescued from the pool after hitting her head on the platform and plummeting unconscious into the water.

Team-mate Nick Robinson-Baker pulled her to safety, with Gladding since revealing she was 10 seconds from death.

It is remarkable that, even after putting aside fears of returning to diving's highest board, Gladding has been able to return to competition let alone come back better than ever.

She revealed a desire to reach her first ever Olympics was driving her - albeit with a growing sense of anxiety as next months trials approach.

"It's so stressful. We can't relax until we know (if they've qualified)," she said.

"I'm just working as hard as I can until then. I'm just making sure I'm doing everything I can do to be in the best place so that the selectors believe I'm the best person to stand up there in London."