2025 CITY OF SHEFFIELD WINTER MEET
- January 18th & January 19th
- Ponds Forge International Swimming Centre
- LCM (50m)
- Results
Olympic champions James Guy and Matt Richards were both in action this week, racing at the 2025 City of Sheffield Winter Meet at Ponds Forge International Swimming Centre.
Training under lead coach Ryan Livingstone at Aquatics GB Manchester Performance Centre, Guy and Richards turned in some solid performances as they begin the new Olympic quad.
As for Guy, the 29-year-old dove in for the men’s 400m free, dominating the field in a time of 3:48.91.
That beat the pack by over 17 seconds and marked his first swim at this distance since the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Guy earned bronze there in Glasgow in a time of 3:45.32 while his lifetime best remains at the British national record of 3:43.75 he established en route to snagging silver at the 2015 World Championships behind champion Sun Yang of China (3:42.58).
We’ve reached out to Guy to see if this 4free was just a one-off tune-up or if he’s returning back to the event which he’s earned multiple elite international medals.
23-year-old Richards was the top men’s 50m freestyler, logging a gold medal-worthy outing of 22.42. That was the sole sub-23 second performance of the field, as Lewis Burras was next to the wall in 23.02.
Richards also turned in an impressive in-season effort of 48.58 to take the men’s 100m freestyle, splitting 23.39/25.19 to get the job done. Burras was runner-up once again, securing silver in 51.22.
In the 200m free, the individual event in which he earned silver in Paris, Richards struck gold in 1:48.07.
Finally, the 2-time Olympian hit a time of 24.87 to top the men’s 50m fly podium and also produced 53.72 to take silver in the 100m fly. The latter event saw Ed Mildred collect the victory in 52.68 although Richards’ 100m fly performance checked in as a lifetime best, overtaking his previous PB of 53.82 from last year.
Richards’ 100m free outing now renders the Brit the #3 swimmer in the world for the 2024-25 long course season.
2024-2025 LCM Men 100 Free
Jack
48.27
| 2 | KATSUHIRO MATSUMOTO KATSUHIRO | JPN | 48.46 | 11/30 |
| 3 | Matt RICHARDS | GBR | 48.58 | 01/19 |
| 4 | Tatsuya Murasa | JPN | 48.89 | 01/25 |
| 5 | Kai TAYLOR | AUS | 48.96 | 12/16 |
Of note, all events were timed finals.
Jimmy Guy is a GREAT swimmer- versatile in strokes AND distance, good technicals and a relay sensation.
3.48, un retested, unshaven. First time 7 years… something special is coming
I would love to see Duncan do a tapered 400 LC at trials too this year after his 3:34 British record SC last year, could be a great race between him and Jimmy.
Me too. I would like to see him Olympic Champion in an individual event. This could be his chance. 2IM and 2free are too crowded.
I would LOVE to see it but honestly, the 400 Free is almost just as stacked. He’d definitely have a better chance of a Gold in the 4Free than against Marchand in the IM but I think his chance at an individual Olympic Gold may have already gone unfortunately, especially since he’ll be 31 in LA. Duncan could’ve been a 2-time Olympic champ already in the 200 Free if he took out his races quicker in both Olympic finals.
Sadly, I have to agree with you.
Also worth noting that Emily Large is now Emily Richards after marrying Matt after Paris, she did the 100 – 200 Fly double here in her first meet since Olympic trials last year, where she was affected by glandular fever which subsequently led to her ending her season early.
Brought a tear to my eye. LONG LIVE HIMMY GUY I LOVE YOU
James Guy confirmed he was planning on swimming the 400fr at 2025 British trials last summer – He was asked about retirement after Paris and was irked by it, said he still loves swimming and retirement isn’t even in his head, then mentioned a serious return to the 400 in 2025.
Probably means that GB’s medley relay fly hole will not be getting solved anytime soon if he is turning his attention to these mid distance freestyle events!!
Peaty is back training and Oliver Morgan’s backstroke is coming along. How is Joshua Gammon’s ‘fly coming on?
Gammon was disappointing at World SC last year, hope it was a blip but since he’s in Bath I wouldn’t be so sure. I’m more excited to see what Ed Mildred can do now that he’s training under Ryan Livingstone.
I still think USA, China and France are too far ahead in the medley relay unless someone on the GB relay makes a massive drop compared to 2024.
I definitely feel there’s something up at Bath. I really wish Freya A had moved some time ago. I can’t see GB ever be in the running for Gold, whatever our team is. Who’ll be doing breaststroke for USA? Will MA reach his potential now, perhaps? I really like Nick Fink, but can’t see him being around. Nor Dressel.
Excellent work Guy
I Love The 400 also.
Keep training.