Against the backdrop of the blue-domed Kul Sharif Mosque and the gold-topped Annunciation Cathedral in Russia's Kazan city, a man is seen catapulting from a considerable height, executing a skilled routine at the Kazanka River.

The athlete was taking part in the preliminary round of the men's 27m high diving competition on Monday at the 16th Fina World Swimming Championships in the Russian city.

High diving debuted as a separate competition from regular diving at the 2013 world championships in Barcelona, and featured athletes diving from a height of 20m (women's event) and 27m (men's event).

On top of high diving and its traditional swimming races, the world championships also include diving, water polo and synchronised swimming.

Singapore has sent its top swimmers, such as Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen, as well as three divers and the national synchronised swimming team, for the elite meet. About 2,400 athletes from 190 teams are competing for 75 medals - the most ever in these championships.