Benson takes gold at the World Junior Championship
18 August 2011
Craig Benson won the British Gas GBR Swimming team’s first gold medal of the 2011 World Junior Championships in Lima, storming to victory in the 100m Breaststroke.
Scottish swimmer Benson went one better than the silver he won at the European Junior Championships in July to clinch the title in Peru.
I wanted to win so badly, that’s the reason I think I won
The 17-year old had qualified fourth fastest from the semis but left the field trailing in the final, leading out in 29.10 before bringing it home in 32.24 for a personal best and Championship record 1:01.34.
“Before the race I was joking, what if I win? To actually do it seems surreal,” said Benson.
“I saw that I was slightly ahead at 50m and I wanted to win so badly, that’s the reason I think I won.”
Following suit was double Commonwealth medallist Emma Saunders who took bronze in the next event of the evening, the girls 100m Backstroke.
Former European Junior record holder Saunders, touched for her medal in 1.02.35, the fastest time she has posted this year.
“I knew I had back to back swims tonight with the 100 free semi-final just before this,” said the City of Manchester swimmer.
“After the 100m Freestyle I wanted to give it everything on the Backstroke. I was aiming for a medal at this competition.
“I'm so pleased to have one and in a PB time. It now makes me a European, Commonwealth and World medallist.”
Rachael Kelly just missed a medal to finish fourth in the final of the 200m Butterfly.
