Molly Renshaw set a new Women’s 200m Breaststroke British record of 2:22.33 in the second semi-final of the night as she booked herself in to tomorrow’s final in Rio at her debut Olympics.
Renshaw said, “It’s nice to have the British record back. That swim was amazing. I’ve wanted to go 2:22 for quite a while. After being off that at trials, it’s nice to be finally making the big drop here.
“I knew I had to go out a lot faster than the morning. My back end is strong but I know if I want to make the big drops, I’ve got to make them in the front 100m.
“It’s amazing to be third fastest for the final. I think I came into this ranked 12th so to be up there feels amazing. I’m sure people will step it up but hopefully I can as well.”
She will be joined by fellow Brit Chloe Tutton who touched third and claimed a lane for the 200m Breaststroke at her debut games also.
Off the back of his silver medal win in the 4x200m Freestyle relay, 19 year old Duncan Scott finished fifth overall in the Men’s 100m Freestyle.
Scott equalled his own British record of 48.01 that he recorded in the heats a day earlier in the Olympic pool.
Following his final Scott said, I’ve got to be happy with fifth in the world in my first individual swim at a major meet. I’m delighted.
“I took loads of confidence from the silver [4x200m freestyle relay]. I couldn’t really sleep afterwards. I was delighted to be on the team for Rio and to get the confidence to know I can swim well at an Olympic Games when it matters.
“To know what happens at an Olympic Games is so good going to Tokyo 2020 hopefully. I’ve not really felt under pressure here. I’ve had everything to gain and nothing to lose and I’ve just enjoyed every minute of it so far.”
Dan Wallace brought form to the pool on day five finals as he secured himself a lane in tomorrow’s Men’s 200m Individual Medley final.
Afterwards Wallace explained, “I knew that if I got the job done in the heats, I’d be able to come in and really step up. I’m over the moon with that swim.
“My freestyle has been feeling good for longer than my medley this summer so to go that close to my best in the semi-final and to make the final is really promising.
“It’s my first Olympics and I want to make a point and show that I really deserve to be here.”
Team GB’s Ieuan Lloyd also went in the second semi-final of the 200m medley he just missed out on a finals berth after he closed the race ranked 10th.
Andrew Willis finished an agonising fourth in the final of the Men’s 200m Breaststroke final as he was edged out of the medals by just 0.08 seconds.
“It’s a strange one. I don’t know how I feel about that right now. I gave it everything and I stuck to my plan to go out quick, pace myself then come back strong,” remarked Willis
“The action was right in the outside lane. I couldn’t see what was going on out there. I stuck to my plan, brought it back strong and when I touched, I knew I was up there.
“It seems to take forever [to work out your position] but I’m a bit gutted. It was another solid time for me so it’s definitely happening with the time and I knew that would be there or thereabouts.
“The positive is it’s a higher finish than London 2012. I’ve progressed my times pretty much and I kept my head as well. I do feel like I approached that final in the right way and that’s why it’s all the more disappointing that I’ve finished just short.”