James Wilby wins 200m Breaststroke gold in Edinburgh

Loughborough’s James Wilby claimed an Edinburgh International Meet record as he won gold in the 200m Breaststroke final at the British Swimming Championships 2018 in Edinburgh.

Wilby’s time of 2.12:02 was perfect preparation ahead of his trip to Australia with Team England next month and was more than two seconds quicker than Scotland’s Ross Murdoch.

Scottish swimmer Murdoch – who is defending Commonwealth champion in the 200m Breast – took silver in 2.14:22.

Wilby, who won the breaststroke clean sweep at last year’s Swim England National Winter Meet, said: “I’m pretty happy with how this season is going so far.

“I have had a couple of surprise swims and I’m looking forward to the Commonwealth Games.”

City of Oxford’s Toby Mackay-Champion became the second English swimmer on the 200m Breast podium. He grabbed bronze in 2:15.18.

Simmonds and Walker-Hebborn capture backstroke titles

Lizzie Simmonds added another British title to her collection as she claimed 200m Backstroke gold.

Simmonds, who will be travelling to Australia’s Gold Coast for her third Commonwealth Games next month, finished in 2.10:26 and was more than a second ahead of Welsh swimmer Kathryn Greenslade, who took silver in 2.11:67.

Bronze medallist Jessica Fullalove, also set to compete for England on the Gold Coast, was almost two seconds behind Simmonds after clocking 2.12:18.

Simmonds said: “It was really good to get the win and I’m really pleased. It was a good race and good preparation for the Commonwealth Games.”

Meanwhile, Chris Walker-Hebborn was crowned 100m Backstroke British champion by the narrowest of margins at Edinburgh.

The University of Bath swimmer was second behind Germany’s Jan Philip Glania who touched home first in 54.97.

Walker-Hebborn’s time of 55.26 was only 0.16 seconds quicker than nearest British rival, Loughborough University’s Luke Greenbank, who took the silver medal in 55.42.

“It’s always tough coming here,” said Walker-Hebborn. “There is some amazing young talent coming through the ranks and it’s always a tough race.

“I’m constantly looking over shoulder. Some of the kids are amazing but it keeps me on my toes and I strive to keep getting better.”

Hibbott lands 800m Freestyle gold

Holly Hibbott won her first British title of the week after finishing second in the 800m Freestyle.

While the Stockport Metro swimmer was beaten to the wall by Spain’s four-time Olympic medallist Mireia Belmonte (8:35.71), she was the first Brit home in 8:39.98.

Nova Centurion’s Polly Holden joined Hibbott on the podium with bronze, courtesy of her 8:48.47 effort from the morning’s slower heats.

Finally, Thanet Swim’s Katie Latham also grabbed bronze in the women’s 50m Freestyle. Latham was the third Brit to the wall in 25.85.