Cross Roads’ Mat Cowen, who has recovered from a back injury, is returning to where it all began this weekend in the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships.

The 25-year-old landed on his back last month in the final warm-up to the United States leg of the series in Boston.

But, despite initial fears, Cowen declared he is fully fit to compete in his home event in Wales, which starts this Saturday.

“I’m strengthening up for this competition now and ready to go,” said Cowen this week.

“I’m not entirely sure what happened in Bos-ton because it just seemed like a normal dive. It was like witchcraft really. My legs just flew in the air, which is never good.

“But we know that’s the risk we take as divers. I thought that it was a lot more serious when it first happened but I was quite relieved that it wasn’t anything major, and I’m fit and ready for Wales.”

The Welsh leg provides a coliseum-like setting in the middle of pastoral farmland and will see Cowen plunge from a 27.5-metre platform into the cold Celtic sea.

Cowen hopes that home support can help inspire him to his best finish of the year so far.

“It’s back to my roots for me down in Wales and it’ll be great to perform in front of a home crowd. About 65 of my family and friends are coming down, so it’ll be good to have that extra bit of support.

“The conditions aren’t the best there at the minute. We’re diving in cold salt water which gives a heavy impact, so we’ll all have to be aware. I don’t like to say before an event where I’m looking to finish but I’m just hoping to keep improving from my previous dives and finish as high as I possibly can.”