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Duncan Scott served up a jaw-dropping British record in the men’s 200m Individual Medley on Wednesday night to bring the opening day of the British Swimming Selection Trials to a memorable end.
The Stirling University student – one of four swimmers pre-selected for Team GB ahead of the meet – promised something special in the morning heat and he duly delivered at the London Aquatics Centre, leading after a strong butterfly leg and never letting up, powering down the final 50m on his favoured freestyle stroke to go inside Max Litchfield’s previous British best and record a 1:55.90.
He said afterwards:“It’s been a while since a long-course tapered meet, that was World Championships in 2019, so I’m just grateful to be here. I’m delighted with that swim, it’s a big PB and it’s great to move things on too,”he said.
“Balancing the events I do, I’ve got to put that down to my coaches at Stirling, Brad Hay and Steve Tigg, the way they are able to balance the sessions and the way they prioritise different things throughout the week. There’s been a lot of work on the breaststroke, I don’t know if it paid off, but I enjoy doing the medley stuff, it’s good fun.
“It’s happy days for me now, I’ve got a day off tomorrow, that’s doesn’t happen often – so it’s a lie-in!”
Fellow Stirling
Unviersity swimmer
Aimee Willmott ducked inside the 4:36.78 target in the Women’s 400m
Individual Medley.
The two-time
Olympian took it out strong from the opening butterfly strokes, staying well clear of the field and holding on well down a tough final 50m of freestyle to achieve exactly what she set out to do.
She said:“It’s kind of strange because, after Rio, I didn’t think
I’d still be swimming towards
Tokyo. Fingers crossed it’s enough and I can finish on a high in
Tokyo.”
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