TANCOCK CROWNED BEST PERFORMER WITH MEDLEY GOLD
Backstroke specialist Liam Tancock won 200m Individual Medley
gold in a new British Record and claimed a performance award
at the Japan International Open to round off an excellent
four days for the British team.
Tancock dipped below the two-minute mark for only the second
time of his career to secure his second gold of the meet and
a new British Record of 1:59.19.
Fastest into the final, victory was never in doubt for the
Loughborough University swimmer who led from the outset and
lowered the previous British standard by over one-and-a-half
seconds.
Former record holder Gregor Tait (City of Edinburgh) was
second going into the final length but fell just short of
a podium finish to end fourth in 2:01.25. TP Patrick of the
USA won silver in 2:00.59 and Kan Takakuwa of Japan claimed
bronze in 2:00.94.
"I'm really pleased with that performance," said
Tancock. "I had a good swim this morning and made a few
changes for this evening which paid off. The medley is a new
event for me this season and is a bit of fun to break up the
backstroke races.
"I've had some good mid-season racing coming into this
meet. I went into the Nationals not shaved or tapered and
got some good times. With a taper, a shave and trip to Japan
I've managed some fast times against the best in the world."
"Being here one year ahead of the Olympics has been
great to experience the climate and culture. We've been able
to train in Osaka, which will be our Olympic holding camp,
and we now have a real advantage going into Beijing."
Tancock's performances over the last four days, in particular
his equal European record swim in the 100m Backstroke, singled
him out as one of the top athletes in Chiba where he won the
Most Valuable Performance award, based on FINA points. His
coach, Ben Titley, was named Most Valuable Coach.
"It's brilliant to win the performance award,"
said Tancock. "I've swum some fast times against an impressive
standard of competition and this award has recognised that.
"I've been training for the 100m for a few years now
and it's starting to pay off. I've never really trained for
the 50m I've just done well through my speed and power. My
focus now is on the Olympic events and I'll be looking to
improve more over the next year."
Also today, the Men's 4x100m Medley team of Tancock, Kris
Gilchrist (City of Edinburgh), Todd Cooper (Stirling) and
Ben Hockin (Swansea Performance) finished fourth in 3:39.04,
while the Women's Medley team of Lizzie Simmonds (Lincoln
Vulcans), Kate Haywood (Loughborough University), Jemma Lowe
(Borough of Stockton) and Fran Halsall (City of Liverpool)
were fifth in 4:03.65.
National Performance Director Bill Sweetenham was understandably
pleased with his team's results and the opportunities racing
in Japan has provided.
"I'm really pleased with the athletes' performances
and the effort they have put in," he said. "This
meet has been a great learning experience and an opportunity
for the younger athletes to see Osaka and follow that up with
a good meet."
The Japan Open Meet takes place 21st to 24th August in Chiba.
The British team comprises: Kirsty Balfour
- City of Edinburgh Julia Beckett - Loughborough University
Rebecca Cooke - City of Glasgow Ellen Gandy - Beckenham Fran
Halsall - City of Liverpool Kate Haywood - Loughborough University
Jemma Lowe - Borough of Stockton Caitlin McClatchey - Loughborough
University Hannah Miley - Garioch Lizzie Simmonds - Lincoln
Vulcans
Matt Clay - Swansea Performance
Todd Cooper - Stirling Swimming
David Davies - City of Cardiff
Kris Gilchrist - City of Edinburgh
Ben Hockin - Swansea Performance
Darren Mew - University of Bath
Gregor Tait - City of Edinburgh
Liam Tancock - Loughborough University
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