Litchfield narrowly misses 200m IM medals

Max Litchfield was the closest to the medals for the British team on day five of the FINA World Championships 2017, finishing fourth in the 200m Individual Medley.

The City of Sheffield swimmer went out strong in the final, keeping pace over the first 150m.

Litchfield set a British record to finish third fastest in his semi-final swim yesterday, but he was overhauled down the last 50m in the final. The English swimmer ultimately touched in 1:56.86, just behind China’s bronze medallist Shun Wang (1:56.28).

The 22-year old, who finished fourth over 400m IM at last year’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games, said: “It’s always a bit difficult when you come fourth.

“I was going in there to get a 1:56 time which I got but it’s disappointing even though it looks good for the rest of the week and my preferred 400m medley.

“I went in with the same mind set as always. It’s just about getting in there and racing fast. I thought I went quite fast but tonight it just wasn’t fast enough even though I’ve moved that event on over the past two days.”

BIG SWIM by our very own @maxlitch1995 in the 200m IM, just nudged into 4th on the final length of the #DunaArena! ?#FINABudapest2017pic.twitter.com/Pdpx2e1RcH

— British Swimming (@britishswimming) July 27, 2017

Renshaw qualifies for 200m Breaststroke final

Loughborough-based Molly Renshaw put in a sterling effort in the women’s 200m breaststroke semi-finals. The world short course champion was up against some tough competition but came into the semis as the fastest qualifier from the heats.

She was quicker again in the semi-final, touching in 2:23.51 to make her way into the final tomorrow. Loughborough’s Jocelyn Ulyett finished ninth with 2:23.82, and is first reserve.

Ellesemere College swimmer Freya Anderson also impressed in the semi-finals of the 100m Freestyle on her World Championship debut.

Although the field was a lot more experienced, 16-year old Anderson dug in deep to push through to a new personal best time.

She finished 12th overall, lowering her British age group record of 54.25 from the heats with a 53.91 effort.

Luke Greenbank had also swam a great race in the morning’s heats, touching in a season’s best 1:57.67 in the 200m Backstroke. But despite a gallant effort in his semi-final, the Cockermouth swimmer finished in 13th in a time of 1:58.50.

• Click here to view full results from day two finals of the FINA World Swimming Championships.