Two of Great Britain’s standout international athletes, at senior and junior level respectively, Ben Proud and Leah Schlosshan took three titles between them at the Luxembourg Euro Meet, which took place over the weekend.
Proud, who famously claimed world, European and Commonwealth
titles in the 50m Freestyle last year, was back again for the “splash and dash”
event, which saw him continue his dominant form. The 28-year-old put in a professional performance to take the gold medal in the A final at the Centre
National Sportif et Culturel d’Coque, with Loughborough University’s Alex
Cohoon finishing seventh.
His victory in the freestyle event was preceded by another convincing display in the 50m Butterfly final the previous day. Having claimed the Commonwealth title in the event in Birmingham last year, Proud continued his good form in the stroke, finishing just over a tenth of a second ahead of the silver medallist to take victory.
The results will be encouraging for the sprint athlete, as he looks to continue his preparations towards April's British Swimming Championships, which will serve as a key selection meet for Japan’s World Aquatics Championships in July.
City of Leeds’ Leah Schlosshan continued her rise in the senior ranks of the sport as the other British athlete to take a gold medal from the competition, romping to victory in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley final.
The 17-year-old took the gold medal in the event at the European Junior Championships last year, and she touched just shy of the time that won her that title in Romania – finishing nearly two seconds ahead of the silver medallist. Her Leeds teammate Lara Thomson was also in action in the same final, placing seventh.
Swim Wales brought a strong contingent to the competition, and it was Tyler Melbourne-Smith who headlined the efforts for the group, as he took bronze in the Men’s 400m Freestyle, with additional fourth-place finishes in both the 800 and 1500m Freestyle events.
Swim England’s South East team rounded off the medal-winning performances from British athletes, with bronze medals from both Lucy Fox and Eva Okaro. Fox was involved in a highly competitive Women’s 200m Butterfly final that saw her put together a race worthy of a podium place, while European Junior medallist Okaro swam well to take third place in a rapid Women’s 100m Butterfly race.
The competition also Mixed 4x100m Freestyle and Medley relay events, and it was Loughborough University who secured gold medals in both the timed finals, with Brits Alex Casey and Alex Cohoon forming part of both teams who picked up the victories.
Full results from the event can be accessed here.