Anna Hopkin continues to go from strength to strength at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in South Korea, with yet another lifetime best.
With just three Brits in action on Saturday morning, Hopkin was out to make her mark, and despite a less than perfect start she advanced to the next round of the Women’s 50m Freestyle.
Having broken the British textile record in the 100m Freestyle a few days ago, Hopkin was once again in lifetime best form as she touched in 24.85, fifth in her race to progress 11th out of the 16 qualifiers.
Afterwards, with a smile on her face, she said:
“I had the worst start of my life – I’d barely even hit streamline, so the whole way I was just thinking I just need to get through, which I did. I need to improve that tonight, but it was still a PB!”
Dan Jervis was back in action in the heats of the Men’s 1500m Freestyle, but despite a solid swim he didn’t do enough to advance to the final. Swimming in the centre of the penultimate heat, the Swansea man started well, leading the way over the first 500m, but by halfway he had slipped back to sixth. Digging in, Jervis gave a decent account of himself but couldn’t improve his position, finishing sixth just six seconds shy of the time needed to progress.
Naturally disappointed, Jarvis said:
“I’m so disappointed. I’m training the best I’ve ever trained but I’m just letting the crowd get to me rather than focusing on what I’m doing. I’m feeling something now that I don’t want to feel again next year – I’m going to make sure I don’t do this again. British Swimming have been so good to me and I’m very grateful to represent Great Britain and be in the British Swimming setup and I couldn’t have more support than I have.
“I started really well, dived in and felt strong and relaxed but I’m just so frustrated with the result.”
The other Brit in action was Nick Pyle, who like Jervis couldn’t quite do enough to advance in the 50m Backstroke. After a good start, Pyle fought hard but had to settle for seventh in his race, missing out on a semi-final place by just less than half a second.
Speaking afterwards, Pyle said:
“The start was alright and I thought I was up there, but I started going to the side of the lane towards the end of the race and I hit the lane rope a bit, but it was an alright time for a heat swim. It’s been a long week waiting but it feels good to have swam - it’s been a great experience.”
Away from the action there was a tragic incident at a local venue in Gwangju last night, with British Swimming commenting:
“British Swimming would like to pass on sincere condolences to all those involved in a crush incident at a local venue in Gwangju last night. We can also confirm that no members of the British aquatics team were present or involved in the incident.”
The action resumes at 20.00 (12.00 UK time) this evening, with James Guy and Ben Proud in final action. You can catch the racing live on FINA TV
Full results from the FINA World Aquatics Championships can be found here.
Highlights will be shown on the BBC Two as follows:
15.45 – 17.15:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
15:00 – 16:00: Saturday
15.30 – 17.00: Sunday
*highlights will also be available on the red button at select times.