With just one session remaining of the 2019 British Championships, a whole host of the sports star names are gearing up to challenge for the final six gold medals of the week and much sought after spots on the World Championships team.
The final event of the whole week is set to bring the house down, as the likes of Duncan Scott, James Guy, Tom Dean and Max Litchfield will do battle for the Men’s 200m Freestyle title. Whilst Scott qualified fastest and will chase his third gold of the week, Calum Jarvis was perhaps the surprise package, the National Centre Bath swimmer hot on his heels. The first five qualifiers were separated by just 0.67 of a second and with World Championship relay spots also up for grabs, the final is likely to prove a fitting end to a great week of swimming.
As with all the breaststroke events at these championships, the women’s 100m served up a quality line-up, with 50m champion Sarah Vasey, 200m champion Molly Renshaw and 200m IM winner Siobhan-Marie O’Connor all in the mix. Having opened her British Championship campaign yesterday, winning the medley, it was O’Connor that headed qualification, posting the fastest time in the final heat.
“That was good, I’m pleased with that. I was slightly disappointed with last night so it was nice to get in this morning and see what I could do in the heat. I felt pretty strong so I’m looking forward to tonight.”
In the penultimate heat European Junior 50m champion Tatiana Belonogoff touched first ahead of 200m bronze medallist Jocelyn Ulyett, whilst Molly Renshaw took the win in the previous heat to secure her spot in the final tonight.
The Men’s 200m Backstroke went to script with 100m champion Luke Greenbank looking in fine form as he topped the list of qualifiers by almost three seconds. The Mel Marshall coached athlete set a lifetime best in the 100m on Wednesday night and will be looking to do the same in the four length event this evening.
The Women’s 100m Butterfly saw all the main protagonists do what they needed to do to ensure they’ll return this evening to contest one of the final medals of the week. The centre lanes in the final will be occupied by a trio of women who have already taken gold this week; leading the way through to the final was 200m Butterfly champion Alys Thomas, with 50m fly winner Charlotte Atkinson and double freestyle gold medallist Freya Anderson also easing through.
Having won the Men’s 50m Freestyle last night Ben Proud returned to Tollcross to head qualification in the Men’s 50m Butterfly, Jacob Peters and in-form sprinter Scott McLay also looking good.
The last morning session of these 2019 British Swimming Championships concluded with the first four heats of the Women’s 1500m Freestyle, with the medals likely to be decided from the fifth and fastest heat this evening.
The live stream resumes at 6pm tomorrow in the Deep End Live studio, with the finals kicking off at 6.30pm. Head to the British Swimming Facebook and YouTube channels to ensure you don’t miss out.
If you’re in Glasgow, a limited number of tickets are still available on the door at the venue.
For full results from today’s action please click here