Ben Proud takes 50m Freestyle gold at National Winter Meet

Ben Proud of Plymouth Leander defended his Men’s 50m Freestyle title at the ASA National Winter Meet 2016, winning by over half a body length in the final.

He touched in 21.23 to take the gold medal ahead of Russian rival Georgy Chernov.

Chernov touched second to claim a commemorative silver with 22.03. Lewis Clifford-Stephenson took the silver medal with 22.19 and Samuel Irvine of Loughborough followed up for bronze (22:20 PB).

Ben Proud said: “It’s really good to come back and race in Sheffield. Last year was a really good meet for me, so it’s good to come back and do some more 21s.

“I think 2016 was the perfect season. I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to get back into this one and see where things go. Hopefully 2017 will see me in the World Championships, but really I’m just continually trying to improve myself.”

Charlie Attwood goes sub 59 for the first time

Bath Uni swimmer Charlie Attwood took gold in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke final. Attwood was a clear half body length ahead of the rest of the field, and set a new PB with 58.95.

Lawrence Palmer of Putteridge took silver with 59.54 and City of Birmingham’s Luke Davies followed up to take bronze (59.57 PB).

Attwood commented: “This was the first time I have been under 59 seconds so I’m really happy with the time. Technically the swim was a bit iffy and I could have been tighter at the wall.

“I always try to focus on the technical side, but for me the time is a bonus at the moment.”

Beth Aitchison sails to 50m Breaststroke gold

Loughborough Uni’s Beth Aitchison, who was fastest qualifier in the heats, won the Women’s 50m Breaststroke. She shaved three tenths of a second off her personal best time and took gold with a time of 30.19.

Aitchison’s effort saw her become the third fastest British swimmer in history. Only British record holder Imogen Clark (30.02) and Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell (30.11) have gone faster.

Second place went to Edinburgh’s Corrie Scott (31.00) and the final position of the podium went to Mount Kelly’s Niamh Robinson (31.15), also in a new PB time.

Bath University smash 400m Medley Team relay

Bath University left the competition in their wake in the final event of day one. They finished over three seconds ahead of the rest of the field to win gold in the men’s 4x100m Medley Relay.

Joseph Hulme lead off in a PB 53.06 before individual medallists Attwood, Lelliott and Jarvis brought Bath home in 3:31.66 for gold.

Loughborough Uni took second with 3:34.88 and third place went to Edinburgh Uni with 3:36.96.

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