Rosie Rudin seals first British title with 200m Backstroke gold

Rosie Rudin knocked two seconds from her 200m Backstroke personal best as she swept to a maiden British title on day four of the British Swimming Championships 2017.

The City of Sheffield swimmer had only qualified fifth fastest from the heats, nearly two seconds shy of her PB on 2:13.45.

But Rudin had saved her best for the final, leaving it until the last 50m to take control of the race on the way to a 2:09.55 victory.

Bath University’s Jessica Fullalove set her fastest time since 2015 as she won silver in 2:10.05 while Loughborough University’s fastest qualifier Charlotte Evans broke 2:11 for the first time to land bronze in 2:10.35.

“I’m so shocked right now. I wasn’t expecting that at all so I’m really happy,” said Rudin.

“This morning I went out a bit fast in the heats. So I tried to relax a bit more on the first 100m tonight and it paid off because I felt like I could back-end it a lot better.

“It’s always been a target to go under 2:10 but to do it from a 2:11 to a 2:09 is amazing.”

Rudin no stranger to the national podium

While Rudin was collecting her first British gold, she is no stranger to the national podium, having won 400m Individual Medley bronze in both 2014 and 2015.

The 18-year old missed out on the 400m IM podium this year, finishing fourth, but her PB 4:38.74 suggested she was in the form of her life.

And there was no denying her progress in the 200m Back as she improved on her eighth place finish from the 12 months ago.

Rudin came into the Championships with a 200m Back PB of 2:11.66, set to win the 17/18 Yrs title at last year’s British Summer Championships, also in Sheffield.

Her previous best had been a 2:12.23 to finish seventh at the 2015 World Junior Championships in Singapore.

  • Click here to view full results from the British Swimming Championships 2017.
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