Tancock narrowly misses 100m Backstroke medals in Shanghai

The British Gas ITC Loughborough swimmer, who will begin the defence of his world 50m Backstroke title on Saturday, clocked a season’s best 53.25 from lane one to finish just 0.26 off the podium positions in China.

It was about racing the best in the world tonight and that's exactly what I thrive on.

Tancock won European bronze from an outside lane at last year’s European Championships and looked like he might repeat the feat after turning third fastest at the 50m mark.

While Japan’s Asian Games champion Ryosukie Irie (52.98) eventually clinched bronze behind France’s joint-winners Camille Lacourt and Jeremy Stravius (52.79), Tancock maintained his speed to finish sixth overall.

And after clocking the sixth fastest time of his career, the 26-year old insisted he was encouraged by his performance in China.

"It was just about going in there and racing tonight," said Tancock. "I got faster through the rounds which was my aim and that's my fastest 100m for 16 months so I have to be happy.

"It was about racing the best in the world and that's what I thrive on. The medals could have come from any of the guys in there tonight.

"I've got a few days rest now to get myself ready for the 50m Backstroke so I'm looking forward to that one."

Lizzie Simmonds repeated her result from the last World Championships in Rome two years ago, finishing seventh in the 100m Backstroke.

I'm looking forward to the 200m Backstroke now - I'll take a lot from tonight's performance into that race.

The British Gas ITC Loughborough swimmer, who is European champion over 200m Backstroke, was never out of the race from lane one and eventually touched in 59.89.

China’s Asian Games champion Zhao Jing won gold in 59.05 ahead of Russia’s Anastasia Zueva (59.06) and USA’s 2004 and 2008 Olympic champion Natalie Coughlin (59.15).

And after finishing so close to the medals in her ‘second’ event, 20-year old Simmonds insisted there were plenty of positives to take ahead of Friday’s 200m Backstroke heats.

“That was another good solid swim,” said Simmonds. “I’m just pleased to have been involved in another World Championship final as I’m learning all of the time.

“It’s an amazing experience racing what was a field full of quality and depth and with very little separating us.

“I’m looking forward to my main event now, the 200m Backstroke. I’ve got a couple of days to relax and then focus and I’ll take a lot from tonight’s performance into that race.”

British Gas ITC Stockport swimmer Michael Rock was the only other British swimmer in action in the evening session on day three.

The Commonwealth silver medallist missed out on a 200m Butterfly final spot after finishing 16th overall in 1:58.78.