Chris Walker-Hebborn triumphs in Men’s 100m back-stroke - British Gas ASA National Championships
Chris Walker-Hebborn of Ellesmere conquered the Men’s 100m back-stroke title in the open class category, on the third day of the 2011 British Gas ASA National Championship, being staged in Sheffield.
The 20-year-old Walker-Hebborn authenticated his qualification in the British swimming team to the 2011 Shanghai World Championships, during July, by winning the gold medal of the 100m event. The ASA championships are an opportunity for those national swimmers, who failed to secure their spots in the first world selection trials, held earlier in March. All those swimmers, who will prove their eligibility for the gold medal in their respective events at this meet, will confirm their tickets to China.
Walker-Hebborn ensured his victory in the Men’s 100m event, by clocking a time of 54.47 seconds. With his breath-taking effort, he stayed 0.37 seconds ahead of his closest competitor, Marco Loughran. Guildford’s Loughran followed Walker-Hebborn on the finishing wall, by reporting in a time of 54.84 seconds. Similarly, he was 0.60 seconds faster than his subsequent swimmer, Ryan Bennett of Preston, who completed his swim in the third place, by posting a time of 55.44 seconds.
Matthew O’Brien of Bath University followed Bennett on the finishing wall, by submitting a time of 56.14 seconds. His notable effort was only 0.70 seconds behind Bennett and provided him with the fourth fastest spot of the two-lap event.
Luke Wood of Loughborough University completed his swim in the fifth fastest spot, by posting 56.30 seconds on the board. O’Brien’s team-member, Calum Jarvis, was 0.22 seconds slower from Wood and appeared on the finishing wall as the sixth position holder, by producing a time of 56.52 seconds. Zichen Liu of Derventio emerged as the seventh fastest sprinter, by concluding his swim in a time of 57.39 seconds. Ian Powell of Stockport finished his swim in the last place, clocking a time of 57.42 seconds to secure the eight spot in the meet.
Walker Hebborn was delighted after winning the gold medal, as he will now represent Great Britain in the 100m back-stroke category, at the 2011 World Championships in July.
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