Lewis Burras Delivers 21.90 Blast In 50 Free Prelims; Abbie Wood Goes 2:11 In 200IM

Lewis Burras: Photo Courtesy: Georgie Kerr, British Swimming

Lewis Burras went 21.90 in the 50 free heats – a time only he and Ben Proud have bettered among British men – on the penultimate day of the national championships, which double as world trials, in Sheffield.

The 22-year-old has announced himself on the international stage this week at Ponds Forge with victory in the 100 free in 47.88, only 0.01 off Duncan Scott‘s British record of 47.87.

Burras was 0.11 outside his PB 0f 21.79 in the penultimate heat and 0.06 off his season’s best from the Edinburgh International Meet.

He remained on poolside to watch Proud go 22.25 as the pair booked the centre lanes for the evening final.

Adam Barrett was next through in 22.52 although there is no place for Jacob Whittle (23.01) who goes into the B final.

Burras told Swimming World:

“I like to keep an eye out for people I aspire to be: Ben’s been at the top of the sprint game coming up to eight years now so he has set the bar and I am just trying to see what I can do to get closer to him.”

He added:

“Pretty happy with that as a morning swim, a little bit faster than I was in Edinburgh (heats of Edinburgh Meet in March) so off to a good start.”

The six-day meet doubles as trials for June’s World Championships in Budapest and an opportunity for swimmers to post consideration times for their respective home nations at the Commonwealth Games in July.

Abbie Wood was preselected in the 200IM following fourth place in Tokyo and she has already claimed the 200 free title in Sheffield.

The Loughborough swimmer headed the 200IM heats in 2:11.91, more than three seconds ahead of Candice Hall (2:15.37) and Lily Booker (2:17.45).

Tom Dean, who already has slots in the 100 and 200 free in Hungary, led the way in the 200IM in 2:00.21.

Behind came James McFadzen (2:01.81) and Scott, the Olympic silver medallist easing up and gliding down the final 25 in 2:01.99.

Tamryn van Selm headed the 400 free in 4:14.70 ahead of Freya Anderson – yet to book a slot for Budapest and who clocked 4:15.05 – and 400IM champion Freya Colbert.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use