Breaststroke boys rule as age group records smashed on day one

Greg Butler and Joshua Lawson broke the British 13 and 14 Yrs Age Group records to win respective 200m Breaststroke golds on the opening day in Sheffield.

City of Derby swimmer Butler smashed his PB by 11 seconds through heats and final to set a new marker of 2:25.86. Meanwhile, Millfield’s Lawson clocked 2:22.51 in the older age group.

“That was incredible – I didn’t expect it at all,” said Butler. “The plan was to build through the race gradually but it didn’t really go like that in the end!

“I could really feel it coming down the back 50 and could tell it was really close.”

Lawson said: “I’m pretty proud of that swim because I’ve worked for it all year.

“I did feel good going into the final because I swum a 2:26 and I felt like I could take a few more seconds off that.

“Racing that last 50 I had no idea of how close it was though. I’ve got the 100m Breast to look forward to now in two days so I’ll see if I can do something in that as well.”

Hobbah wins double gold while Hibbott wins three medals

Southport’s Holly Hibbott – who won European Junior silver over 800m Freestyle earlier in July – impressed to reach the podium in all three girls’ events on the opening day. She won 200m IM gold then added silvers in the 100m Free and 200m Back.

There were also standout performances from City of Leeds’ Sophie Hobbah and Hillingdon’s Brodie Judge in the youngest 11/12 Yrs Age Group.

Hobbah became the first double champion of the meet with victories over 200m IM and 200m Back. Meanwhile Judge ducked under the minute mark for the first time, setting 59.36 for victory in the 100m Free.

“I knew I had a good chance today because I was going in first in the 200m IM and the 200 Back,” said Hobbah.

“That meant there was a bit of pressure as well because my coach was expecting me to get gold and I really wanted to as well.”

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