James Guy closes 2017 British Champs with fourth gold

Double Olympic medallist James Guy brought the 2017 British Swimming Championships to a close with his fourth gold of the meet.

The 21-year old has been one of the star attractions in Sheffield, winning the 400m Free, 200m Fly and 100m Fly titles across the first four days.

And there was nobody likely to stop him adding a fourth gold to his collection in the 200m Free – the event in which he will defend his World Championship title in Budapest this summer.

Having eased through the heats as fifth fastest, Guy turned on the style in the final, holding off a brave challenge from Scotland’s Duncan Scott to win in 1:45.55.

“I really wanted that one,” said Guy. “The time was okay but it’s the end of a long week and I didn’t feel as sharp as the 100m Fly. But it’s a nice way to finish the championships.

“It was a tough field and I think everyone did a great job and it was a fast final. It’s a good sign for the relay for later in the year too.

“I knew Duncan would be up there but I didn’t think he would be that close. I saw him at the 100m and I thought ‘mmm ok he’s with me’ so I focused on coming back as hard as I could. It was a good swim from him.”

Scott clocked 1:45.80 for silver while Wales’ Calum Jarvis – swimming for Bath University – was third in 1:47.02.

Luke Greenbank defends 200m Backstroke title

There was further success for the English men on the final day as Ben Proud broke the British record for 50m Fly gold and Loughborough University’s Luke Greenbank defended his 200m Backstroke title.

Greenbank looked in a league of his own in the heats, booking lane four for the final in 1:57.99 with more than two seconds on the field.

Bath University’s Joe Hulme pushed the defending champion closest in the final, lowering his PB to 1:58.63.

But it was 19-year old Greenbank who was in front from gun to wall, ultimately taking gold in 1:57.67 – his fastest time since the 2015 European Games in Baku.

“I’m pleased to have won the race but I am a little disappointed with the time,” said Greenbank.

“I’ve been working on the back end of my race in training and I’ve just got to control it out and then pick it up towards the end. I think I was just a bit too steady out there.”

  • Click here to view full results from the British Swimming Championships 2017.
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