Great Scott doubles up in Sheffield

DUNCAN SCOTT secured his second title at the British Swimming Championships in Sheffield last night, winning the men’s 200metres individual medley.

The six-time Olympic medallist clocked 1min 56.08secs — the quickest time in the world this year — to finish over a second clear of Tom Dean.

After taking the British record in the 400 Individual Medley earlier this week, Scott’s post-Olympic recalibration has opened up some intriguing new avenues to explore ahead of this summer’s world championships and Commonwealth Games.

He said: ‘I’m pretty happy with that. Since the start of the season, I wanted to mix things up a bit. It obviously will still benefit this and the 200 free but it is not going to make me as ready for the 200s at this moment in time. But I came here with 400IM as my priority.’

Mark Szaranek, now based in Florida, was fourth but shy of Scottish Swimming’s consideration time for the Commonwealths.

Scott will renew his rivalry with Dean in today’s 200m free in a rematch of their epic Olympic final duel, won by the Englishman.

Lauren Cox snatched the women’s 50m backstroke title in 27.83 secs, onehundredth of a second ahead of Medi Harris with Stirling University duo Kathleen Dawson and Cassie Wild third and fourth. City of Glasgow teen Katie Shanahan took bronze in the 200m IM.