Swimming World Performance of the Week: Luke Greenbank’s 200 Backstroke

Luke Greenbank at the Youth Olympic Games

Photo Courtesy: Xinhua/Fei Maohua

Great Britain is on the brink of a great summer at the world championships, and then next year at the Olympics, and the island nation got a boost in its hopes to become a swimming superpower from 17-year-old Luke Greenbank.

Last week at the European Games in Azerbaijan, Greenbank sailed through the 200 backstroke final with a convincing victory in a time of 1:56.89. It gave him the junior world record by five hundredths of a second, and placed him in the elite world rankings as the fastest Brit in the event this year. Now sitting at ninth place, Greenbank’s global status will change based on results at the world championships in Russia, but he could improve again this summer at the world junior championships in Singapore.

Greenbank’s stroke emulates Japan’s Ryosuke Irie, another swimmer who found quick success in the junior ranks before becoming one of the world’s best backstrokers. Smooth and controlled for the entire race, Greenbank dropped almost two seconds off his lifetime best to win European Games gold. If he were to drop just one more second at the junior worlds, British Swimming will start drooling over Greenbank’s medal chances at the Rio Olympics.

Greenbank has won several medals at the European junior championships and Youth Olympics. Look for him to make a big impact in August at the world junior championships, and early next year at Great Britain’s Olympic Trials.

Congratulations to Luke Greenbank on winning the Swimming World Performance of the Week!

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Chris Walton

8 years ago

Will do, I’m sure the Nicest Man in the World will say thanks. Great article

Katy Sherwin

8 years ago

Chris Walton…can u make sure Luke’s dad sees this please 🙂

Chris Walton

8 years ago

Luke Greenbank Martha Greenbank

Sean Balmer

8 years ago

He has done everything to deserve the results he has achieved … An amazing consummate professional.