Molly Renshaw Sets British 200Br Record of 2:20.89; Abbie Wood Goes Under Old Mark In 2:21

Molly Renshaw; Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

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Molly Renshaw set a new British 200br record of 2:20.89 with Abbie Wood also going under the previous mark at the British Swimming Selection Meet.

Renshaw had matched the previous record set by Jocelyn Ulyett in 2017 when she went 2:22.08 at the Manchester International Swim Meet, something she obliterated on Thursday at the London Aquatic Centre.

Wood, who trains alongside her under Dave Hemmings at Loughborough, set a huge PB of 2:21.69 as both women went inside the consideration mark.

Link to results

Renshaw splits:32.34/1:07.95/1:44.33/2:20.89 (36.46)

Wood splits: 32.76/1:08.79/1:44.93/ 2:21.69 (36.76)

With that swim, Renshaw went second in the world rankings behind only Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa who set an African record of 2:20.17 last week.

molly-renshaw-200-breast-prelims-2019-world-championships

Molly Renshaw: Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

Renshaw spoke to Swimming World last month about the British record, working with Hemmings and her own ISL legacy. Read it here.

Renshaw, the three-time Commonwealth medallist, said:

“I knew how well I was doing from Manchester, so I was excited to taper down and see what I could do.

“I’ve had bad luck with Olympic trials in the past, so that’s out the way and I’m so happy to have done the consideration time.

“I think I’d just like to improve on what I did at the last Olympics. Going there, I was over the moon with making a final – I want to take that next step this year and aim for medals and be on the podium.”

With a nod to her training partner Wood, she added:

“Abbie trains so hard, she’s probably one of hardest trainers I know, so to be able to do that with her alongside me, it was amazing!”

Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL

Wood has had a revelatory few months in the 200br, going 2:22.77 at the Manchester International and she pointed to the faith she has in Hemmings and the Loughborough staff, saying:

“It’s such a relief after yesterday where I wouldn’t say I was gutted (in teh 200 free), but I expected a bit more from myself – so today, I was really focused on the race and obviously me and Molly pushed each other as best we could, and it worked out well.

“I think the improvements are down to trusting in my coaches. I never used to be a fan of the gym, but I feel like I’ve really bought into the programme now.

“It’s been five years coming and I’m glad I stuck at it as long as I did, because there were times when I was ready to hang up my goggles. I’m glad I didn’t now!”

Hemmings places great emphasis on technique and skills and he posted to social media:

Just see this photo from @TeamGB. A picture that celebrates our @britishswimming #OADF model – Athlete / Performer / Person. Thriving in each. Head down now ? because we gona push harder again tomorrow #Energy #Relentless ?? #WeAreBritishSwimming pic.twitter.com/kQujBW8lmo

— David Hemmings (@DaveHemmingsGBR) April 15, 2021

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