Layla Black wins first gold for GB at 2017 European Juniors

Layla Black completed her rise to the top of the international podium as she sealed British Swimming’s first gold of the 2017 European Junior Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel.

After European Games bronze in 2015 and European Junior silver 12 months ago, the 16-year old finally got her hands on gold with victory in the 200m Breaststroke.

Having seen City of Leeds teammate Ciara Schlosshan land GB’s first medal of the competition 24 hours earlier, Black stormed home in a thrilling final.

Black takes touch after dramatic comeback

Black had qualified fastest for the final but looked set to settle for minor honours, turning more than 1.5 seconds down on Irish leader Mona McSharry at 150m.

But the English swimmer blitzed home in a 37.78 split for her last 50m, taking the touch in 2:27.31 to McSharry’s 2:27.44.

GOLD for @laylablack10 !!! Great Job Layla!! Never Gave in!! ???‍♀️?? pic.twitter.com/s9G5MhXXtw

— City of Leeds SC (@CoLeedsSC) June 30, 2017

The time was the third fastest of Black’s career and a season’s best.

Her personal best lies at 2:26.60 from the 2015 British Summer Championships in Sheffield.

Schlosshan blitzes British record to reach 100m Fly final

Schlosshan was also in action again on day three, breaking a three-year old British age group record to reach the final of the 100m Butterfly.

The 15-year old clocked 59.55 in the semi finals to progress third fastest to tomorrow’s final. Her effort ducked under the previous best of 59.57, set by Amelia Clynes, another Leeds swimmer, set at the 2014 Summer Nationals.

Thomas Dean and James McFadzen also made the podium on day three in Netanya, while the girls’ 4x100m Medley Relay quartet narrowly missed out on bronze.

• Click here to see full results from the European Junior Championships 2017.

Image credit: Deepbluemedia / Andrea Masini