Victoria Catterson Sets National 200 Free Record As Irish Open Concludes; Seven In Contention For Fukuoka Worlds
The Irish Open Swimming Championships ended in Dublin with Victoria Catterson breaking the national 200 free record and Tom Fannon adding his name to the consideration list for the 2023 World Championships.
The meet concluded with six swimmers holding World Aquatics ‘A’ times for Fukuoka 2023 and one athlete a consideration time.
Catterson, dipped under the two-minute mark for the second time in her career to set a new standard of 1:59.74, 0.12 under her previous record of 1:59.86 from the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The time is also enough to see Catterson considered for the European U23 Championships in Dublin in August.
Fannon, who set a new Irish record in the 50m freestyle as a split in the 100 free heats on Sunday, needed to go under 22.12 to secure the ‘A’ time for the worlds.
The National Centre Dublin swimmer delivered twice, clocking 22.11 in the heats, followed by 22.02 in the final to in gold.
Mona McSharry went 2:25.70 in the 200br, under the ‘A’ time of 2:25.91 for Fukuoka, and a championship record.
Danielle Hill finished her week with gold and a championship record of 28.11 in the 50 backstroke, adding to her 50m free and 50m fly titles.
The Larne swimmer also posted a World Championships ‘A’ time in the 100m backstroke on Tuesday.
Jack Cassin delivered a third Irish junior record in the 200IM final in 2:03.16.
The 18-year-old had already set a 400IM senior and junior record and 100m butterfly junior record.
Larne’s Nathan Wiffen cruised to a second national title and a 10-second personal best in the 1500m..
Wiffen clocked 15:34.17 as the only swimmer under the 16-minute mark.
Athletes with a World Aquatics ‘A’ Time: Mona McSharry (100m and 200m breaststroke), Daniel Wiffen, Ellen Walshe (100m butterfly, 200IM), Danielle Hill (100m backstroke), Conor Ferguson (100m backstroke), Tom Fannon (50m freestyle)
World Aquatics Consideration Time: John Shortt (200m backstroke)
Swim Ireland National Performance Director Jon Rudd said:
Jon Rudd: Picture Courtesy: Swim Ireland
“This Championships was a huge step forwards for the Irish swimming community as a whole, particularly when we compare it to the post-COVID equivalent in 2022.
“Seven athletes put their names into contention for individual events at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan this summer and that is before we consider what relays we opt to compete in.
“Fukuoka is the first major step for us towards the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 – the first of three qualification opportunities for our athletes.
“Alongside this, we have over 20 additional athletes make themselves known for our junior, youth and open water teams this summer.
“That’s a highly significant number of selections for us to consider – with 7 Irish Senior Records and 5 Irish Junior Records thrown into the mix for good measure.
“I’m very proud of Irish swimming today, with selection considerations coming from all four of our Provinces.
“With 100 days to go until Fukuoka commences, I’ll be honoured as always to lead our senior National Team into what could be a very rewarding World Championships for Ireland”.