Angharad Evans Rattles British 100 Breast Record With Second Journey To 1:04; Double For Duncan Scott
Angharad Evans came within 0.02 of her British 100m breaststroke record when she went 1:04.98 at the Scottish National and Open Swimming Championships in Edinburgh.
The Paris Olympian was out in 30.82 and back in 34.16 for the second-fastest swim of her career, within a sliver of her 1:04.96 national standard from the British Championships in April.
Angharad Evans: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow, Aquatics GB
The University of Stirling swimmer is the only woman to break 1:05 this year and holds the five top swims of 2026.
Evans said through Scottish Swimming: “I’m super happy with that. When I was walking to the pool, I realised it was the opposite of what I usually feel, I lacked the nerves. I think all my focus is on Commonwealth Games, so suddenly Scottish Nationals seem much more low pressure. I’m learning how to control the nerves and if I’m too nervous I try and bring them down, and if I’m not nervous, I try and bring them up. And I think I did that perfectly there.”
She added: “I raced the race mentally with who I’ll be racing against at the Commonwealth Games. And it’s nice to go a 64 again. No one could complain with that. I wouldn’t be lying if I said that two golds would be the best possible outcome for me in Glasgow. But I can’t control what other people do, so I’m targeting going faster than the British record and I’m trying to get as close to the world record as I possibly can this season. That’s my ultimate goal in swimming.
“And slowly I’m dipping below 1:05 more and more. It’s exciting, but you know, to bring home two golds for Scotland would be a really special moment to me and would give back what they’ve given me. You know I wouldn’t be going a :104.9 without the Scottish team behind me. So that would be really special to me.”
Edinburgh University’s Charlotte Hardy won silver in 1:10.16 and Emily McGhee of Dundee City Aquatics won bronze (1:10.62).
Scott At The Double
Duncan Scott made two trips to the podium, opening his account with a 1:56.69 200IM victory ahead of Stirling team-mate Tom Dean (1:59.73) and Evan Jones (2:00.22).
The eight-time Olympic medallist returned for the 200 fly where he went 1:56.54 for his second title of the evening ahead of Ed Mildred (1:59.97) and Calum Rose (2:02.04).
Scott said: “A double on the opening night, and a tough one at that. I’m definitely earning Sunday off! I came in here wanting to challenge it, you know. I guess it’s no surprise that I’ll have quite (a big programme) at the Commonwealth Games with relays and individuals. So there’s no better time to practice that, than here.
“It is a hard double, meaning I’ve got to do two in the morning, come back at night, and try and do it well again. Tomorrow, I have the 200 free and the relay as well. So it’s like, how well can I go back-to-back, but also within the same session as well? Definitely a good bit of learning for Glasgow.”
Speaking about his continued drive and motivation, Scott continued: “One of the things that I love about this sport is constantly trying to stay inquisitive, and I guess curious on what I can try and improve and develop. And the relationship that I’ve got with Ben (coach Ben Higson), and then also the rest of the staff, means that I can try out different things. And I’m in a great environment to do that. First with Steve (Tigg) and now with Ben, I think they are similar in a lot of ways. I don’t know if either will like me saying that, but they are similar then also very different as well. And I don’t think Steve would mind me saying, you know, I think just that that very slight change of angle has really brought a refreshing side of things to my career.
“Ben was my coach at the 2015 Worlds, 2016 Olympics, so we’ve got plenty of experience with each other and we are just building that relationship. It’s in a really good place right now where he’s always challenging me in different ways and new ways as well.”
There were also wins for Matt Richards and Freya Colbert in their respective 100 free races in 49.02 and 54.30; Lauren Cox (50 back, 28.02), Keanna MacInnes in the 200 fly (2:07.04) and Greg Butler in the 100 breast (1:00.71).