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Thurston and Dunn win gold on opening day of London 2016

Alex Thurston and Chris Dunn won gold as the British men landed 12 medals on the opening day of the European Masters Swimming Championships in London.

Nottingham Leander swimmer Thurston was the first British gold medallist of the day in Pool 1, clocking a British record 2:13.84 to take the touch in the 35-39 Years 200m Individual Medley.

Chesterfield’s Ben Harkin was just 0.45 seconds behind Thurston in the same heat as he claimed silver in 2:14.29 to ensure a British one-two on the podium.

Hatfield swimmer Dunn – who starred at this year’s British Masters Championships with six golds – touched a full 55 seconds clear of his rivals in the 70-74 Years 800m Freestyle to claim his first title of the 2016 Europeans with a 10:57.04 effort.

British medal haul in older age groups

The British swimmers were in fine form in the older age groups, as Geoff Stokes, John Harrington and Edward Hoy all won 800m Free silver medals while Bruce Bridal claimed bronze.

Swindon Dolphins swimmer Hoy clocked 18:32.04 to touch second in the 85-89 Years age group while Barnet Copthall’s Harrington sailed under the existing British record in the 80-84 Years age group to touch in 14:31.40.

Spencer Swim Team’s Stokes clocked 13:22.47 for silver in the 75-79 Years age group while Jersey swimmer Bridal touched in 10:33.04 for bronze in the 60-64 Years age group.

Hat-trick of medals in 45-49 Years age group

The 45-49 Years age group was the most successful for the British men on the opening day as Dave Warren landed 200m Individual Medley silver before Peter Dixon and Kyran Parker captured silver and bronze respectively in the 800m Freestyle.

Otter swimmer Warren sliced nearly three seconds off his own British marker with a 2:14.94 effort in the 200m IM while Tower Hamlet’s Dixon and East Leeds’ Parker came home in 9:35.22 and 9:47.77 respectively in the 800m Free.

David Bryant and Nicholas Parkes were the other British male medallists on the opening day, winning 200m IM silver and 800m Free bronze respectively in the 55-59 Years age group.

Guildford City swimmer Bryant was more than two seconds under the 15-year old British record of 2:43.73 as he touched in 2:32.09 for his medal in the 200m IM while Middlesbrough’s Parkes clocked 10:15.81 to reach the podium in the 800m Free.

  • Click here for full results from the London 2016 European Masters Swimming Championships.

British men’s medals at London 2016: Day One

GOLD

  • Alex Thurston (Nottingham Leander) – 35-39 Years 200m Individual Medley – 2:13.84 BR
  • Chris Dunn (Hatfield SC) – 70-74 Years 800m Freestyle – 10:57.04

SILVER

  • Ben Harkin (Chesterfield) – 35-39 Years 200m Individual Medley – 2:14.29
  • Dave Warren (Otter) – 45-49 Years 200m Individual Medley – 2:14.94 BR
  • Peter Dixon (Tower Hamlets) – 45-49 Years 800m Freestyle – 9:35.22
  • David Bryant (Guildford City) – 55-59 Years 200m Individual Medley – 2:32.09 BR
  • Geoff Stokes (Spencer) – 75-79 Years 800m Freestyle – 13:22.47
  • John Harrington (Barnet Copthall) – 80-84 Years 800m Freestyle – 14:31.40 BR
  • Edward Hoy (Swindon Dolphins) – 85-89 Years 800m Freestyle – 18:32.04

BRONZE

  • Kyran Parker (East Leeds) – 45-49 Years 800m Freestyle – 9:47.77
  • Nicholas Parkes (Middlesbrough) – 55-59 Years 800m Freestyle – 10:15.81
  • Bruce Bridal (Jersey) – 60-64 Years 800m Freestyle – 10:33.04
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