2019 British Swimming C’ships: Day 4 Finals Live Recap

2019 BRITISH SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

WOMEN’S 200M BACK – FINALS

Last year’s national runner-up Jessica Fullalove dipped below 2:10 for the first time in her career with a winning time of 2:09.74. Fullalove’s previous personal best was a 2:10.01 all the way back from 2015, and has been battling various injuries ever since. She will not represent Britain at the 2019 FINA World Championship in this event, however, as she missed out on the minimum qualifying time of 2:08.05.

Fullalove took it out way ahead of the rest of the field – in a blistering 1:02.66 – and held a commanding lead through the first 150 meters. Chloe Golding had a huge last 50 to solidify her lead over last year’s national champion Kathryn Greenslade, and even gave chase to Fullalove in the last few meters. Golding wound up second in a final time of 2:10.53, which is slightly off her personal record time of 2:09.97 from the winter of 2017.

Greenslade locked in the third place spot with her 2:12.27; she won last year’s national title and set a personal best with a time of 2:11.67. She’ll be doubling up today in the 100 free, as she qualified seventh during this morning’s heats.

MEN’S 100M FLY – FINALS

James Guy picked up his second butterfly win of these national championships, clocking a 51.97 to reign supreme in the men’s 100 fly. Guy took it out quick, going out under 24 seconds, but took a long glide into the wall, likely costing him a couple tenths of a second. The British national record holder in this event was slightly off the minimum qualifying time of 51.55 for the World Championship roster, although he still has his signature event in the 200 free to qualify for the team.

The newly-minted British 100 freestyle national record holder Duncan Scott shaved seven tenths off his previous personal best in the 100 fly to take second in the race with a 52.25, which marks a new Scottish record in the event. He’ll have the chance to challenge for another national title in tomorrow night’s 50 free.

19-year-old Jacob Peters dropped roughly half of a second off his former best time, hitting the wall at 52.47 to take third in the race. This is his second butterfly bronze of the meet, as he also notched third in the 200 fly.

WOMEN’S 100M FREE – FINALS

University of Arkansas swimmer Anna Hopkin, the national champion in the 50 free went out guns-a-blazing in the first 50, flipping at 25.5 as the only swimmer in the field out under 26. Despite her massive lead after the first lap, Ellesmere Titan’s 18-year-old Freya Anderson battled back to overtake Hopkin in the last couple of meters for the win. Anderson won the race in a final time of 53.79, earning the first World Championship consideration time of the night.

Hopkin, who is having a phenomenal meet, narrowly finished behind Anderson. She stopped the clock at 54.02 to shave over seven tenths off her former best, narrowly missing the World Championship consideration time of 53.95.

Rounding out the top three was Loughboro University’s Emily Crane, who posted a 55.21 to earn herself a spot on the podium.

MEN’S 200M BREAST – FINALS

The Britain breaststroke cohort continued to demonstrate their dominance at these national championships, sporting two sub-2:08 swims in the final of men’s 200 breast – the first time in history of the British National Championships.

James Wilby was the only swimmer under 1:02 at the first 100, and held a dominant lead through the first 150. British national record holder Ross Murdoch charged home in the last 50, however, and came within striking distance at the flags. Wilby held on for the win, cracking 2:08 for the first time in his career to take the national crown in a time of 2:07.49. Murdoch also dipped below 2:08 for the runner-up position, recording a final time of 2:07.96.

Murdoch’s teammate in 2016 Olympian Craig Benson settled for third in the race as he touched the wall in 2:10.13. Benson’s best time is a 2:09.07 from the same year he made the Rio team.

This was the only event of the session in which the #1 selection time was met – and it was achieved by two swimmers in the field. Wilby’s and Murdoch’s times currently rank fourth and fifth respectively in the world this year.

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Stu
5 years ago

Didn’t Lizzie Simmonds win the 200 Back last year? You said that Kathryn Greenslade won it? Awesome 200 Brst from the boys tonight!!

Jeff
5 years ago

I bet that 200 breast world record will go down at worlds. Going to be such a good battle with Watanabe, Chupkov, Wilson, Qin, and the two Brits.

Wow
Reply to  Jeff
5 years ago

And Prenot…..

Prison MIke
Reply to  Wow
5 years ago

Koch, he is always good to pull up a great time out of nowhere

AnEn12
Reply to  Prison MIke
5 years ago

No chance, he has been stuck in that 2:08 territory forever. Apparently losing weight in his case was a bad decision …

Jeff
Reply to  Wow
5 years ago

Have my doubts about him. Never seems to perform when it matters recently.

Mike
Reply to  Jeff
5 years ago

People always say that about the 200 breast and it usually isn’t as fast. Perhaps the nerves.

Superfan
Reply to  Mike
5 years ago

That would be me. I have been saying for a couple years, the 2breast WR is soft!

AnEn12
Reply to  Jeff
5 years ago

My money is on Chupkov and Watanabe, they are the most consistent and they have shown that they can perform outside of their home country.

Dee
Reply to  AnEn12
5 years ago

Agree on Chupkov; Shown he does it when it matters and a warm fave for me.

Dee
5 years ago

Brilliant from Wilby & Murdoch! 2.07.49 & 2.07.96 – Both will be going to Worlds. Wilby is special as it is but if he could perform a pullout… boy he’d be utterly remarkable.

Andrew
Reply to  Dee
5 years ago

Yes, I really hope that Murdoch goes. His 200m was a fab swim under the qual time and he has shown his versatility in the 100m and 50m as well. Great guy!!

AnEn12
5 years ago

The commentator once again impresses with his knowledge …
No other country can find 2 guys capable of going sub 2:08 …
Ever heard of Japan dude?

MichiganFan
Reply to  AnEn12
5 years ago

Even Australia

Andrew
Reply to  MichiganFan
5 years ago

and also Australia haven’t had their trials yet – and there is 2 sub-2.08 swimmers!

Dee
5 years ago

2.21 to win the 200br junior final for 14yo George Smith – New national age group record.

Dee
5 years ago

Great from Van Selm – 1.2s PB to qualify for Juniors. Split it impressively: 27.4/28.2

Dee
5 years ago

Britain finally get a backstroker under 54 and the fly times drop off 🙈 James looked pretty pissed off there, awful finish but don’t think he’d have got even the consideration time anyway. Fingers crossed for his 200, tough last 18 months for James. Huge PB for 2nd & 3rd – Duncan Scott is in flying form!

Jeff
Reply to  Dee
5 years ago

Duncan Scott improved his 100 fly by 1.5 seconds throughout the day. He could potentially compete in the 100 fly at worlds as it fits in to his schedule quite well.

Stirlo
Reply to  Jeff
5 years ago

Is that a Scottish record for Scott? I’m guessing Todd Cooper owned that one?

Jeff
Reply to  Stirlo
5 years ago

Yes it is.

Jeff
5 years ago

Nice swim by Jess Fullalove. Good to see her without injury and enjoying herself. Hope she makes the worlds team.