Miley sets new British and European record

Posted: Tuesday 17th March 2009 | 20:37

HANNAH Miley has smashed the nine-year old European record in the 200m individual medley at the British Gas national championships in Sheffield.

Miley smashes 200m IM European record
EURO STAR: Hannah Miley sets new British and European 200m IM record

The 19-year-old recovered from a sluggish start at Ponds Forge to finish in 2.09.59 minutes - more than three seconds ahead of nearest rival and silver medallist Keri Anne-Payne.

And with one automatic World Championship spot up for grabs for the winner of each discipline in Sheffield, Miley was more than satisfied with her night's work.

"I can't believe that I did that," said Miley. "I feel amazing. I had no idea I was in that good a shape coming into the competition.

"I'm delighted with my performance, and to beat a nine-year-old record is just fantastic.

"I've got a busy week ahead but hopefully I can keep going and build on this performance.

"My breaststroke was very good, it seems like I've been working on that for my whole life. It's probably my weakest stroke but all the work seemed to pay off.

In the women's 100m backstroke, 18-year-old Lizzie Simmonds was solid if unspectacular as she claimed gold in 1:01.10.

The 18-year-old Loughborough University swimmer, who picked up four gold medals at the European Junior Championships in 2007, finished clear of second placed Georgia Davies.

Simmonds solid if unspectacular in Sheffield
SAFE PASSAGE: Lizzie Simmonds takes 100m backstroke gold without setting the world alight (Getty Images)

That her time was notably slower than the personal best of 1:00.39m she set at the Beijing Olympics, and four-hundredths-of-a second slower than her semi-final time.

But having secured her seat on the flight to Rome, Simmonds is adamant she can mix it with the world's best this summer.

"It was a really tough race and I was hoping to go a little bit quicker but the aim of this week is to qualify for Rome, so I'm delighted to have done that," said Simmonds - who was forced to settle for silver at the 2008 British Championships.

"I've been suffering with illness a little bit this week so to come here and swim close to my best and to qualify is all that I could ask for.

"I know there is room for improvement- like there always is and I'll be looking to go a lot quicker in Rome now that I've confirmed my place."

Fran Halsall bounced back for her disappointment in the 100m butterfly, where she finished second behind Ellen Gandy, to claim 50m freestyle gold with a new British record.

The 18-year-old clocked 24.53 secs as Allison Sheppard's six-year long record tumbled, leaving Halsall delighted.

"I think it was fate that it happened this way," she said. "After a disappointing run in the 100m butterfly, it was great to bounce back and I can leave with a smile on my face."

And in the men's 50m freestyle, 20-year-old Adam Brown took more than a second off his lifetime best to take gold for his first ever medal at the British Championships.

RYAN BANGS in Sheffield

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