Lewis Burras went third all-time in the British 100 free rankings as he stopped the clock at 48.15 in the prelims at the national championships in Sheffield.
It was a 0.3 PB for the swimmer who is coached by Zoe Baker at the Winchester club and matched the qualification time required to book a spot on the British team for the World Championships in Budapest in June although he will have to do so this evening.
Only Duncan Scott (47.87) – who did not contest the heats and instead focused on the 400IM – and Jacob Whittle (48.11) have gone quicker among British men.
Whittle (48.36) and Olympic 200 free champion Tom Dean (48.57) were next through to the final where two slots are available for the worlds team, subject to them making the cut.
- Results
- Day 2 finals wrap
- Day 2 heats wrap
- Day 1 finals wrap
- Day 1 heats wrap
- Tokyo Was ‘The Start Of The Journey’ For Tom Dean
Of his race, Dean – whose PB stands at 48.30 – told Swimming World:
“Good. First proper long-course competition we’ve focused on since the Games.
“Everyone is out here, the best of the best in GB out here and we’ve got some spectators as well so brilliant, really enjoyed it.”
Given he is close friends with Scott, the Bath swimmer was not surprised by his GB teammate’s absence, saying:
“I knew he wanted a clean 400IM today – completely understandable – I think he is on for a cracking time tonight so no surprise really.
“But whether there was no-one else in the race with me or a hundred people, I’d have swum the same time I reckon.”
The final promises to be one of the most keenly-fought of the six-day meet, something Dean says can only be a good thing from the perspective of the GB men’s 4×100 freestyle relay prospects.
“We just missed the final at the Olympics but worlds, Commies, Euros – I can’t wait to be part of that team, that’s really what I’m fighting for here.”
“That’s kind of what I am fighting for.”
Scott led the way in the 400IM prelims, gliding into the wall as he stopped the clock at 4:17.51 to lead the field by almost 4.5secs into the final with Mark Szaranek booking a spot alongside his University of Stirling teammate in 4:21.96.
Anna Hopkin was the only woman inside 25secs in the 50 free, taking two breaths down the Ponds Forge pool before stopping the clock at 24.95 with Isabella Hindley next in 25.51.
Hopkin has been preselected to the team after anchoring the mixed medley relay to gold in Tokyo where she also finished seventh in the 100 free.
Laura Stephens prompted applause at the Sheffield venue with 2:09.70 in the 200 fly prelims with Keanna MacInnes next through in 2:11.17.