Max Litchfield reclaims British title with dominant performance

Max Litchfield produced a commanding performance to win the 400m Individual Medley title at the British Swimming Championships in Glasgow.

The Loughborough swimmer missed the 2018 Commonwealth Games through injury, but continued his impressive form, winning gold in 4:10.94.

That guaranteed Litchfield’s place at the 2019 World Championships in Korea this summer.

“I’m really pleased with that time,” Litchfield said, after reclaiming the title he won in 2016 and 2017. “I’ve had a great block of training over these last couple of months and I really worked on that back end in training.

“It hurt, but the hard work has paid off. It’s not a PB, but it’s good enough to get on that plane and that’s what we’re aiming for.

“That’s what I train for. There have been things thrown at me over the last couple of years and that’s just how I go about things. I put them to one side and give it my best. It’s paid off.”

Scot Mark Szaranek won silver in 4:16.28, while Millfield’s Brodie Williams grabbed the bronze medal in 4:17.22.

2018 champion Joe Litchfield finished fourth in 4:18.95.

Hopkin sprints to gold

Anna Hopkin reclaimed her 50m Freestyle national title, sprinting to the gold medal in 24.99 seconds.

The English Commonwealth bronze medallist missed out on a difficult qualification standard, but nonetheless wrapped up an impressive day in Glasgow.

Hopkin had set a personal best of 24.91s earlier in the day and broke the 25-second barrier for just the second time in her career.

Loughborough University’s Emma Barclay was second in 25.09s, while Ellesmere College swimmer Freya Anderson, who won 200m Freestyle gold on Tuesday, grabbed her second medal of the week, clocking a personal best of 25.12 to win bronze.

Jervis cruises to second title

Swansea University swimmer Daniel Jervis sealed a dominant win in the men’s 1500m Freestyle to claim his second national title of the week.

The Welshman set a new personal best time to win gold in 14:46.51, less than half a second shy of David Davies’ longstanding British record.

Jervis finished comfortably inside the qualification standard to book his place at the World Championships.

City of Leicester’s William Bell finished strongly to take silver in a personal best time of 15:21.83 , while Hatfield’s Nathan Hughes grabbed bronze in 15:25.38.

Scott’s record-breaking win

Duncan Scott broke his own British record to win the men’s 100m Freestyle title and book his place at the World Championships.

The University of Stirling swimmer set a new national best of 47.87s, more than a second clear of teammate and silver medallist Scott McLay.

Edinburgh University’s David Cumberlidge won bronze in 49.11s.

Thomas edges Stephens in close battle

Swansea University’s Alys Thomas edged Plymouth Leander’s Laura Stephens to win the women’s 200m Butterfly title.

Thomas won gold in 2:07,40, finishing inside the World Championships consideration time.

Stephens was second in 2:07.96, while Newcastle’s Emily Large was just under two seconds back to win the bronze medal.