The first day of the 2016 British National Championships displayed an array of speed across multiple events.
Men’s 400-Meter Free Final:
James Guy opened the session with a blistering 3:43.84 to not only claim first in the men’s 400-meter free but also to dip below the qualifying standard of 3:44.81 and become the first athlete out of the British National Championships to qualify for Rio. Guy’s final time rockets him up to second in the world rankings for 2016, behind only Australia’s Mack Horton (3:41.65).
Guy’s splits: 25.84, 27.63, 27.84, 28.10, 27.90, 28.75, 28.88, 28.90–3:43.81
Stephen Milne finished second overall with a time of 3:46.53, just shy of the qualifying standard, while Jay Lelliot posted a 3:47.68 for third.
Women’s 200-Meter Free Final:
Jazmin Carlin topped the women’s 200-meter free with a final time of 1:57.62. Carlin’s time moves her into the lower echelons of the top 20 world rankings for 2016, but was just shy of the qualifying standard of 1:55.88.
Eleanor Faulkner finished second overall with a time of 1:58.05, just ahead of the young Georgia Coates. Coates stopped the clock at a 1:58.54.
Men’s 100 Breast Final:
After posting te top time in the world for 2016 at a 58.74 in prelims of the men’s 100-meter breaststroke, breaststroke superstar Adam Peaty lowered it yet again in finals to finish with a 58.41. Peaty’s time is also well under the qualifying standard of 59.38 earning Peaty his first ticket to Rio. So far this year Peaty has been the only swimmer under the 59-second mark.
Joining him in Rio will be Ross Murdoch who claimed the silver medal with a 59.31 in finals. Murdoch’s time rockets him up to second in the world rankings for 2016 giving Great Britain a strong showing in the men’s 100 breaststroke heading into Rio.
James Wilby rounded out the top three with a time of 1:00.05.
Women’s 400-Meter IM Final:
After cruising to the top seed of the women’s 400-meter IM during prelims, Hannah Miley became the first woman to qualify for Rio at the British National Championships. Miley turned in a final time of 4:33.40 to swim well under the qualifying standard of 4:35.46. Miley’s time boosts her to second in the world rankings for 2016 behind only Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu (4:29.89).
Miley’s splits: 29.88, 33.56, 33.08, 34.62, 37.73, 38.98, 32.11, 31.44–4:33.40
Just missing out on a ticket to Rio was Aimee Wilmott who finished second overall with a time of 4:35.52.
Posting third was Abbie Wood with a 4:43.07.
