Michael Jamieson completed a breaststroke double on day three of the inaugural British Gas International Swimming Meet in Leeds – and now knows exactly what he needs to do to achieve more success in the summer.
The 24-year-old, who contributed one of Britain’s three swimming medals at the London 2012 Olympics with silver in the 200m breaststroke, opened his campaign in Leeds by taking victory over half the distance.
And, with his preferred 200m event following a day later, Jamieson was again unbeatable in the final as he clocked 2:10.43minutes to beat training partner Andrew Willis by almost a second.
Marco Koch took third with Jamieson admitting he exited the pool knowing full well what he needs to do to be in the fight for medals at the World Championships in Barcelona this summer.
“I went out pretty fast in that race and I paid for it a little at the end, but I know if I want to improve I’m going to have to push myself hard on the first 100m,” said Jamieson.
“It’s always going to feel a little uncomfortable at this stage in training. I love racing in finals and trying to swim fast drives me.
“I think the fact that I really enjoy it helps me to get up for the evening swims and post good times when it matters.”
Meanwhile Chris Walker-Hebborn defeated two-time world 50m backstroke champion Liam Tancock over double the distance by two tenths of a second in Leeds.
Walker-Hebborn, who won the 200m backstroke, clocked 54.80seconds for the win and, while aware that he may be better placed in his training than his rivals, he isn’t letting that take any gloss off the win.
“I’m really happy with that swim, I know everyone is in different phases of training at the moment but it’s good to come here and take two wins so I’m really happy,” said
“It helps a lot having my Bath ITC teammates here swimming the way they are and it’s nice to be up there getting good swims in too. We have a great network of staff and swimmers so things are looking really good.”
Elsewhere Roberto Pavoni won the 400m medley, James Guy upset Commonwealth champion Robbie Renwick to take victory in the 200m freestyle and Tilly Gray triumphed in the 200m butterfly.
Benjamin Proud won the 50m butterfly while Ruta Meilutyte dominated the event in which she won Olympic gold last summer, the 100m breaststroke, taking victory by almost two seconds.
And another Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo claimed her second win of the meet in the 50m freestyle with Fran Halsall settling for second place once again.
© Sportsbeat 2013