British Gas Swimming Championships: Liam Tancock, Elizabeth Simmonds, James Goddard, Rebecca Adlington Post World Best

SHEFFIELD, England, April 2. FOUR world bests went into the rankings tonight during the penultimate day of long course meter competition at the British Gas Swimming Championships.

Liam Tancock became the first man under 53 seconds this year in the 100 back with a 52.85. Previously, Tancock stood fourth in the world with a 53.84 this year. But, his performance tonight jumped him ahead of Matt Grevers (53.05), Ryosuke Irie (53.32) and Hayden Stoeckel (53.61). Chris Walker-Hebborn finished second in 54.78, while Ryan Bennett took third tonight in 55.93.

Elizabeth Simmonds, already the fastest in the world this year in the women's 200 back with a 2:06.90 from the British University Championships in February, went even faster with a 2:06.79 to win the event this evening. Gemma Spofforth placed a distant second in 2:09.18, while Stephanie Proud placed third in 2:09.99.

James Goddard moved into the top spot in the world this year with a 1:57.76 in the men's 200 IM. His effort far surpassed the previous top times of Leith Brodie (1:59.60) and Eric Shanteau (1:59.75) set in March and February, respectively. Joseph Roebuck became just the fourth man under 2:00 this year with a second-place 1:59.71, while Roberto Pavoni finished third overall tonight in 2:01.93.

Rebecca Adlington matched the top time in the world this year in the women's 400 free with a 4:05.50. That swim tied the 4:05.05 turned in by Bronte Barratt last month in Australia, and is just ahead of Federica Pellegrini's 4:05.57 from Berlin last month. Jazmin Carlin (4:09.41) and Sasha Matthews (4:12.20) took second and third tonight.

Fran Halsall continues to announce her ascendance into the top tier of female sprinters in the world. Tonight, she clocked a 24.77 to win the women's 50 free. That effort improved upon her season best of 24.94, which was tied with Therese Alshammar for second in the world this year. Ranomi Kromowidjojo is the only woman faster so far this year with a 24.40 from last month. Amy Smith (25.46) and Kate Weaver (26.09) wound up second and third.

While Michael Rock moved to third in the world in the men's 100 fly with a 52.36 during semis yesterday, Rock did enough to claim victory tonight with a 52.66 in the finale. Antony James finished second in 53.18, while Ian Hulme placed third in 53.53.

Georgia Davies touched in 28.54 to win the women's 50 back. That swim pushed her up to sixth in the world this year, improving upon her previous seventh-ranked time of 28.72. Katrina Adler finished second in 29.36, while Emma Saunders earned third in 29.43.

Robert Holderness claimed the men's 50 breast title in 28.73, while Darren Mew (28.74) and Christopher Tidey (28.85) finished second and third. Achieng Ajulu-Bushell wound up with the win in the women's 100 breast with a 1:08.51. Kate Haywood (1:09.56) and Stacey Tadd (1:09.90) completed the top three.

In the only semifinal of the night, Adam Brown led the way in the men's 50 free with a 22.80. Simon Burnett (23.02) and Grant Turner (23.20) will bracket Brown in the finale.

In multi-disability events, Jonathan Fox was listed first in the men's 100 back with a 1:11.99. Sascha Kindred was listed first in the men's 200 IM with a 2:46.51, while Eleni Papdopoulos was listed first in the women's 200 IM with a 2:43.20.

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