Welbourn determined to erase IPC Worlds disappointment

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat

ROB WELBOURN saw his bid for gold at last month's IPC World Swimming Championships scuppered by illness - but he is adamant that will not be the case at the Commonwealth Games.

CONFIDENT: Rob Welbourn is determined to make up for his IPC World Championship disappointment at next month's Commonwealth Games (Action Images)

The 23-year-old travelled to the worlds in Eindhoven confident of topping the podium in the 400m freestyle having taken gold in the event at the European Championships last year.

However, 24 hours before his heat Welbourn was struck down with flu and despite progressing to the final struggled and had to settle for bronze.

Welbourn will get the chance to make up for his world disappointment having been named as one of three disability swimmers on a 45-strong English team for the Commonwealth Games in India.

He will have a month to get himself back into shape and insists there will not be any excuses should he fail to take gold second time around in Delhi.

"The worlds were strange, I felt absolutely amazing beforehand but then I was just hit by flu-like symptoms and just wasn't with it," said Welbourn.

"I'm quite determined and quite stubborn though so I struggled through my heat and then dug in and managed to get a bronze medal.

"I suppose it isn't too bad given the circumstances and I'm glad I managed to salvage something but it was frustrating because you train hard for something and then that happens.

"But I have got straight back into the water for training for the Commonwealth Games now and it isn't long until they come around.

"They are hugely exciting because they are a massive event and there are some of the best swimmers around to compete in them."