British Trials, Day 5 Finals: James Wilby Holds Off Greg Butler For 200 Breaststroke Title

James Wilby: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow, Aquatics GB

British Trials, Day 5 Finals: James Wilby Holds Off Greg Butler For 200 Breaststroke Title

James Wilby held off Greg Butler to win the 200m breaststroke but was outside the cut for Paris 2024 at the Aquatics Centre.

The 2022 European champion went stroke for stroke with Loughborough teammate Butler down the final 50 before moving ahead to stop the clock in 2:10.03 to 2:10.48 with George Smith third in 2:12.79.

It was, however, 1.08secs outside the Olympic qualification time and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be given a wildcard at the discretion of selectors.

The 30-year-old, who swam the prelims of the men’s medley relay in Tokyo before being replaced in the final by Adam Peaty as the Great Britain quartet won silver, has a fine track record at major competition, with world, European and Commonwealth titles to his name.

He was just 0.02 outside the cut for the 100 earlier in the week, won by Peaty in 57.94.

Archie Goodburn (2:13.64) was fourth followed by Max Morgan who set an age group record of 2:13.88, Rory Dickson (2:14.23), Maxwell Anderson (2:16.04) and Harvey Freeman (2:17.04).

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