Miley second fastest in 400m IM qualifying at world short course

EUROPEAN and Commonwealth Games champion Hannah Miley looks set to be in the medal mix-up on day one of the World Short Course Championships in Dubai after impressing in qualifying.

IMPRESSIVE: Hannah Miley makes an impressive start to her World Short Course Championships campagin in Dubai

The 21-year-old, who topped the podium in both Budapest and Delhi in the 400m individual medley this year, qualified second fastest in her favoured event, clocking 4:31.04 minutes.

Miley, who is also the European short course champion, touched home 0.12 seconds behind Hungary's Zsuzsanna Jakabos who took bronze in Budapest in home waters behind Miley.

The Scot, who still trains with her coach and father Patrick Miley in a 25m (short course) pool, will face stiff competition from Chinese duo Ye Shiwen, who is just 14, and Li Xuanxu, who finished third and fourth fastest respectively and she was quick to pour cold water on her chances of gold.

"A lot of people are asking me if I can make it a hat-trick after the Europeans and the Commonwealths. The answer is probably not," said Miley.

"There is the 14 year old Chinese girl and also Zsuzsanna who just swam 4:29 in the European Short Course so there is a lot of competition.

"I'm just looking for the experience and I know a lot of people say this but I am just hoping to go in and do the best I can.

"My coach and I have got a target. I'm not going to say what it is but if you see me smiling afterwards, you'll know I've got it.

"But I'm also entered in the 400m freestyle and the 200m medley so there's a lot to look forward to in this meet."

Miley is one of only two Brits flying the Union Jack in the Middle East and her compatriot Jemma Lowe also impressed on the first morning in the Dubai Sports Complex.

Lowe, who won two world short course bronze medals in Manchester and 100m butterfly bronze at Delhi 2010, came third fastest in the 200m butterfly - touching home 2:05.24 minutes.

Again the fastest qualifier was Hungarian as Katinka Hosszu, the European long course champion, who posted an impressive time of 2:04.56.

Second fastest was Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain, who was 0.28 slower than Hosszu with the final scheduled for later today.

Meanwhile, in the men's 200m freestyle, three-time Olympic champion Ryan Lochte set a new championship record in qualifying, touching home fastest in 1:42.38.