British Olympic Trials, Day 4 Heats: Abbie Wood Easily Tops 200 IM; Guy, Proud Ready to Fire in Finals
Through three days of the British Olympic Trials, the likes of Adam Peaty, Molly Renshaw and Duncan Scott – among others – have defined a strong squad bound for this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. And on the fourth day of action, the morning heats suggested additional quick performances were on tap. Here is a breakdown of what unfolded in London.
Women’s 100 Freestyle
Photo Courtesy: MIKE LEWIS / ISL
A three-woman battle is brewing in the final, with Freya Anderson and Anna Hopkin leading qualifying with matching times of 54.13. Anderson has already collected a title and berth to the Tokyo Games in the 200 freestyle while Hopkin, a pure sprinter, has been forced to play the waiting game. Lurking behind Anderson and Hopkin was Lucy Hope, who was the third athlete under the 55-second barrier with a mark of 54.52.
Men’s 50 Freestyle
Photo Courtesy: Mike Lewis/ISL
Not to be forgotten as one of Britain’s big guns, Ben Proud popped a prelim swim of 21.68 to earn the top seed for the final by more than a half-second, an eternity for a 50-meter event. The final figures to be a race between Proud and the clock, with teenager Jacob Whittle one to watch as a rising star after going 22.40. The third seed will be Yusuke Legard (22.43). The 16-year-old Whittle was fourth in the 100 freestyle and a bright light for British swimming for the years ahead.
David Cumberlidge, the second seed heading into action, touched the wall in 22.75 for the seventh position in the final. It will be interesting to see if Cumberlidge, who has a personal best of 21.97, was holding back in the morning, or if the reigning World University Games gold medalist is not on form.
Women’s 200 Backstroke
Coming off a 58-low winning performance in the 100 backstroke, Kathleen Dawson is positioned for a sweep of the backstroke events after topping prelims in 2:12.09. That effort was almost a second up on the 2:13.05 of Honey Osrin. Dawson should be considerably faster in the night final and, like Proud in the 50 free, is primarily looking at a race against the clock, such is her separation from the field.
Men’s 100 Butterfly
Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL
Team Great Britain veteran James Guy did what was necessary to advance to the final as the No. 1 seed, touching the wall in 51.71. Guy has already logged an Olympic berth in the 200 fly, and the final two days of the British Trials will offer him the opportunity to add the 100 fly and 200 freestyle to his program.
Qualifying second was Jacob Peters, who checked in with a swim of 52.17. Peters will need to be under the 52-second barrier at night to be considered for the Tokyo Games, and will also need to fend off third qualifier Ed Mildred, who was 52.64 in the morning.
Women’s 200 Individual Medley
A pair of runnerup finishes pocketed earlier in the meet, Abbie Wood is ready to move up a step on the podium. The heavy favorite in the event, Wood registered a morning swim of 2:11.20 to easily secure the top seed. Look for Wood to go much faster in the final, where her closest pursuer is Alicia Wilson, who went 2:13.01. Wood has already been 2:21 in the 200 breaststroke and 1:57 in the 200 freestyle this week.
Anyone know why Duncan Scott didn’t do the 100 fly as scheduled?