Southport swimmer Holly gets the better of Olympian Carlin

ASOUTHPORT swimmer beat off competition form a two-time Olympic medalist to win her first ever national title at the British Swimming Championships.

Holly Hibbott, 17, won first place in the 400 metres free style at the competition in Sheffield, knocking two seconds off her own time and earning herself a new personal best.

She beat Olympic medalist Jazz Carlin who won silver at the 2016 Olympics in Rio in both the 400 metres freestyle and the 800 metres freestyle.

Holly, a former Stanley High School student, is now the sixth fastest 400 metres freestyler in the world this year, with Carlin sitting in twelfth position.

Holly said: “I couldn’t believe it at all but I was so happy. I have put a lot into my training this year so I was really happy to win – it was just amazing.

“It was amazing to see Jess race and to beat her... I just could not believe it.“

British Championships took place in Shef- field at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, with Holly competing in both the 800 metres free style and the 400 metres freestyle.

The competition took place between Tuesday April 18 and Sunday April 23, with Holly bagging her 400 metres free style victory on the Saturday.

In addition to her victory in the 400 metres free style race, Holly came second in the 800 metres free style.

This summer Holly will travel to Budapest for the FINA Swimming World Cup, which is an international series of short course swimming meets.

After receiving her selection letter, Holly said: “One of my friends texted me to say she was in the team and when I saw the email I was so happy.“

Holly’s family were there to watch her incredible display in Sheffield and are proud of her amazing results. Her brother Aaron, who was watching the event live despite not being poolside, said: “This was unbelievable – something we were not expecting at all.“