Jackson looks odds on to claim second gold

;JO Jackson has vowed to second claim her gold medal at the British Gas national championship - just as soon as she gets some sleep.

DOUBLING UP: Jo Jackson looks odds on to claim her second gold of the British Championships (SWpix.com)

The 22-year-old was again in imperious form in the 200m breaststroke semi-finals, blitzing her way to the final in 1:56.96 minutes - 1.53 seconds faster than nearest rival Caitlin McClatchey.

Fresh from smashing the 400m freestyle world record and claiming the scalp of Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington, Jackson now looks odds on to set another British record.

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And while the Loughborough University swimmer is adamant she is in the physical condition of her life, she admits her record-breaking exploits have taken their toll emotionally.

"I'm really happy with the way I swam," said Jackson - who claimed Olympic bronze in the 400m freestyle in Beijing.

"I was feeling a bit tired after everything that happened yesterday and I didn't sleep particularly well last night. I was just lying in bed thinking about what I'd done.

"My coach showed me some of the papers but I haven't got too carried away with everything - I don't think it has sunk in yet.

"Physically I am in great shape but this is about the mental side as much as the physical side and I just need a bit of time to get my head around everything.

"But I'm feeling really confident and hopefully it can inspire me on to do even better than I have done.

"The final will be brilliant, it's not until the evening so I will try and catch up on some of the sleep I missed out on and have a nice lie-in."

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In the 100m breaststroke semi finals, Kate Haywood admitted she is missing long-time rival Kirsty Balfour after cruising into the final, 1.47 secs ahead of second fastest qualifier Louise Henley.

Double Olympian Balfour retired from swimming in November, leaving Haywood as Britain's premiere breaststroke exponent, a tag she duly lived up to, comfortably winning her heat in 1.08.44 minutes.

"It is difficult not having Kirsty to push me on and make me go that extra mile," she said. "It's nice to have a competitive rivalry with someone.

"But I don't want to get too ahead of myself. I'm sure it won't be long before there are a few more younger girls pushing me all the way.

"There are a lot of young girls out there who will only keep getting better, so they will definitely be pushing me hard over the years to come.

"I've been working on my second 50m and I thought that was a really strong second half of my race, so everything is going to plan at the moment."

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RYAN BANGS in Sheffield