Dominant Simmonds completes backstroke double in Sheffield

From Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat, in Sheffield

LIZZIE Simmonds completed her golden double at the British Gas Swimming Championships in Sheffield, adding the 200m backstroke title to her 100m gold.

NUMBER ONE: Lizzie Simmonds confirmed her status as number one in the world, breaking her own world leading time to win the 200m backstroke title in Sheffield (Getty Images)

The 19-year old squeezed out world champion Gemma Spofforth by 0.02 seconds to defend her 100m title but in her favourite 200m on Friday night, there was no catching her.

Spofforth was desperate for gold to seal her automatic qualifying spot for this season's European Championships and Commonwealth Games, but Simmonds was untouchable, racing home a body-length clear to finish 2.39 secs ahead.

The teenager's time of 2:06.79 minutes confirmed her status on top of the world rankings, beating her previous world leading effort of 2:06.90 mins from the British University Championships.

But having played second fiddle to Spofforth at Beijing 2008 and last summer‘s World Championships, Simmonds admits she is only just getting used to the increased attention.

"It is weird, I have been thrust in to the limelight for a change ahead of Gemma, so I'm a little bit annoyed about that," said Simmonds.

"But it was a really good swim and I have enjoyed every minute this week, which is what I came here to do.

"It was a mixture of tactics and time really. I knew I had to stick to my race plan and I did that but to be that quick so early in the season is really pleasing."

Although she will have to wait until the culmination of the Championships for it to be confirmed, Spofforth has all-but sealed her place at the Commonwealth Games, having set the third fastest time in the world in the 100m.

But after her second silver of the week, Spofforth admitted she was considering missing the European Championships to focus on Commonwealth glory.

"Lizzie was absolutely fantastic, I saw her in that last turn and I just thought, how am I going to catch up," said Spofforth, who was followed home by Florida Raptors teammate Stephanie Proud.

"I think I am going to bypass the Europeans and focus a lot more on my training now. I am looking forward to getting back to America and starting my long course training."

While Simmonds lifted her second title of the Championships, Fran Halsall scooped her third with victory in the 50m freestyle.

The 19-year old struck 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly gold earlier in the week and wrapped up her hat-trick in emphatic style, touching home 0.69 seconds ahead of the field.

Halsall's time of 24.77 was the second fastest time of the year as silver medallist Amy Smith and bronze medallist Kate Weaver could do nothing but trail in their Loughborough teammate's wake.

And Halsall admitted she was relishing the challenges of the upcoming season.

"I've qualified for a few events now and I'll do them all because I really enjoy it, I love the competition and I love swimming," said Halsall.

"Hopefully I can go to the Europeans untapered and unraced and go and challenge the girls there because it will be a good field.

"And then that should set me up to get Commonwealth gold - that's the plan!"

Swansea teenager Georgia Davies also struck gold on the penultimate day in Sheffield, breaking her own Welsh record to win the 50m backstroke final in 28.54 seconds.

Salford teenager Katrina Alder set a personal best 29.36 secs to collect silver while 15-year old Emma Saunders also set a lifetime best 29.43 secs for bronze.

IN PICTURES: Day five from the British Gas Swimming Championships in Sheffield

AS IT HAPPENS: Day five from the British Gas Swimming Championships in Sheffield

The nation's leading energy supplier British Gas is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, and have pledged £15m to support the sport at all levels - from paddling pool to podium. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming