Scott’s medals haul at World Championships
Stirling student’s Hungary success
Stirling University’s Duncan Scott came home from the World Swimming Championships in Budapest with a gold and silver medal.
But there was heartbreak for exBalfron High pupils Ross Murdoch who agonisingly missed out by finishing fourth in his event.
Scott helped the men’s 4x200m freestyle team successfully defend their title alongside James Guy, Stephen Milne and Nick Grainger.
The British team had looked out of medal contention during the first two legs but Scott - who reached the final of both the 100m and 200m - helped bring them back into contention.
Guy took over on the last leg in second position but quickly powered past his Russian opponent to help the team to gold.
His silver came in the final event of the championships when a sensational breaststroke swim by Adam Peaty brought the team from seventh to second.
Backstroke specialist Chris WalkerHebborn fought illness to lead off but he was well behind when Peaty took over.
He cut through the water to set up James Guy on the butterfly but despite his and Scott’s freestyle efforts, the USA team raced to victory with GB in second.
There was disappointment however for Ross Murdoch in the men’s 200m breaststroke with the Scottish Commonwealth champion finishing fourth - 0.65 seconds behind bronze medallist Ippei Watanabe of Japan.
“It’s hard to finish fourth and to go slower in the final than I did in the semifinal - just like in the 100m,” admitted Murdoch.
“To be honest though I’m happy to be back swimming in my favourite event and this will give me a lot of confidence going into next year’s Commonwealth Games.”