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Hector Pardoe wins historic World Junior bronze in Hoorn

Hector Pardoe won 5km bronze to become the first British medallist at a World Junior Open Water Championships.

Competing at the third staging of the event in Hoorn, the 15-year old completed the course in 59:55.0.

Russia’s Daniil Orlov finished more than 26 seconds clear of the field to win gold.

But Pardoe held his own in the chasing pack to cross third, 0.5 seconds behind Spain’s Eric Vilaregut and with Italy’s Samuele De Rinaldi 0.2 back.

Pardoe swims at Ellesmere College Titans where his father Jon is Director of Swimming.

The young English swimmer has been a regular open water medallist at national level.

He won 12 Yrs gold at the 2013 ASA National Age Group Open Water Championships then bronze medals in the 13 and 14 Yrs age groups in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Crisp finishes fifth on World Junior debut

Pardoe’s English and British teammate Leah Crisp also starred on her World Junior Open Water Championship debut to finish fifth.

Also competing in the 14-15 Yrs 5km race, the City of Leeds swimmer clocked 1:03:57.1.

The 14-year old missed the podium by just 3.5 seconds as Spain’s Maria Romero claimed bronze on 1:03:53.6.

In the 16-17 Yrs 7.5km races, there were four English athletes in action.

Northampton’s Rosie Foden was the top finisher, crossing 13th in the girls’ race in 1:33:40.3 while Nathan Hughes was 14th in the boys’ race in 1:29:05.1.

Ellesmere College Titans swimmer Phoebe Griffiths (1:35:00.6) was 20th in the girls’ race while Ellesmere teammate Gordon Mason (1:30:54.7) was 21st.

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