Anderson leads five British qualifiers

27 Jul 2017

It was another busy heats session on day five of the FINA World Championships swimming with five out six British swimmers progressing into semi-finals action this evening as Freya Anderson leads the pack with a personal best swim.

Anderson (Ellesmere College), making her full debut at a World Championships, went in her first individual event in Budapest, the Women’s 100m Freestyle and delivered a strong heats swim.

Anderson set a new personal best of 54.25 which mean’s she progresses into this evening’s semi-finals as the 14th fastest qualifier.

“Yesterday going in the relay helped me get rid of my nerves. I really wanted to swim fast for the team and we obviously got the team through to the final so that gave me some confidence.

“It was good for a heats swim this morning so I’m happy and really enjoyed swimming in that arena.”

Ross Murdoch (University of Stirling) took to the pool in his preferred event, the Men’s 200m Breaststroke and demonstrated his from by clocking a new season’s best of 2:08.98.

Murdoch will return tonight in the FINA World Championship semi-finals as the second fastest man in the pool.

“I really enjoyed going out there in my main event. It’s a bit different when you’ve got boys going out there really quick but I just stuck to my race plan and enjoyed it,” Murdoch explained.

“I knew I was coming through the field towards the end so it was a nice easy last 50m and back for the final this evening, job done.”

Teammate James Wilby (National Centre Loughborough) also went in the 200m Breaststroke, he ranked 18th after the heats.

Luke Greenbank (National Centre Loughborough) got his Budapest 2017 campaign underway as he went in the Men’s 200m Backstroke. He delivered a season’s best equalling swim of 1:57.67 to book himself a lane in the semi-finals this evening.

“That was the only aim this morning, just to progress into the semi-finals and I’m over the moon with that swim,” said Greenbank.

“It felt like a really good swim and I know that I’ve got more to give this evening.”

The British team had double heats success in the Women’s 200m Breaststroke as both experienced senior international Molly Renshaw (National Centre Loughborough) and worlds rookie Jocelyn Ulyett; based at Loughborough University, secured spots into tonight’s semi-finals.

Afterwards Renshaw explained: “The heats swim felt pretty comfortable so I can step it up again tonight.

“This morning I was focusing on technical aspects so tonight it will be nice to think more about the race and get involved in it. I’m really enjoying my racing and just taking every opportunity I have.”