DAVIES ON ROAD TO WORLDS AFTER COMEBACK SWIM
David Davies secured qualification to the British squad destined
for next year's World Championships when he made he long-awaited
return from injury in Eindhoven to win the 1500m Freestyle
in 14:55.46.
The City of Cardiff swimmer put the past eight months of
injury, surgery and recovery behind him to win the distance
event at the Netherlands' own World Championship Trials by
some margin. Davies needed to beat a time of 15:12.14 to qualify
for the British squad bound for Melbourne in March.
"I'm just so pleased that's out of the way and I can
concentrate on preparing for the World Championships now as
part of the British squad," said Davies.
"I've been working so hard since returning to the pool
in August from the foot infection and it's paid off now. I
though I could swim the qualifying time but it's been so long
since I have raced a 1500m Freestyle and was taking nothing
for granted. It's an event that always hurts and tonight was
no exception but it's worth it when you win especially since
I got the Worlds Championship time aswell.
"My aim now is to build on what I've achieved since
recovering from my injury and to get myself in the best shape
I can be in by the time we get to Melbourne."
In the Women's 200m Butterfly a British trio occupied the
podium. Terri Dunning (City of Birmingham) lead the way in
2:10.48 ahead of Jess Dickons in 2:10.90 and Jemma Lowe (both
Borough of Stockton) in 2:11.37.
Ross Davenport (Loughborough University) was up against Flying
Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband in the Men's 200m Freestyle
but it was the former Olympic champion over the distance who
took gold in 1:47.71 with Davenport second in 1:48.90.
Lizzie Simmonds took gold in the Women's 200m Backstroke
in 2:12.41 while Hannah Miley (Garioch) finished second in
2:15.84. Gregor Tait was second in the Men's 200m Backstroke
event in 2:00.99.
Miley also set a new personal best time in the Women's 200m
Freestyle when she went 2:01.78 and in the Men's 200m Butterfly
Todd Cooper finished second in 2:01.98.
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