Liam Tancock dominates Men’s 100m backstroke semi-final: Day two – British Gas Swimming Nationals
Two-time world champion, Liam Tancock of Loughborough University dominated the semi-final of Men’s 100m breaststroke on second day of the 2012 British Gas Swimming Nationals at the London Aquatics Centre on Sunday, March 4.
The gold medallists of each event at the British Nationals will ensure their spots in the British team for the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games.
The 26-year-old Tancock smothered all struggle of his opponents, who were eyeing the fastest qualification spot in the backstroke playoff. With his invincible efforts, he remained nearly half a second ahead of his strongest challenger, Chris Walker-Hebborn on the finishing end.
Tancock went full throttle in the double lap backstroke discipline and seized best qualification spot of the race in a time of 54.47 seconds. His tremendous effort remained 0.35 seconds faster from the 21-year-old Hebborn, who completed his sprint in a time of 54.82 seconds.
The third finest qualification spot of the race was obtained by Ryan Bennett of Preston, who was 0.23 seconds apart from overpowering his foregoing finisher and transpired on the finishing end with the timing of 55.05 seconds.
Subsequently, the crowd experienced fascinating swim of Loughborough University’s Elizabeth Simmonds in the Women’s Open 100m backstroke. The 21-year-old Simmonds faced tough competition from Georgia Davies in the backstroke swim, but with her relentless efforts, she succeeded in out-touching her over the finishing end.
Simmonds remained almost one stroke ahead of Davies as she touched the wall in a time of 1 minute and 00.53 seconds. The 21-year-old Davies stayed 0.26 seconds slower from her preceding finisher and qualified as the second best swimmer into the playoff by producing an effort of 1 minute and 00.79 seconds.
The third fastest qualification spot was acquired Gemma Spofforth of Portsmouth, who stayed nearly half body length slower from Davies and made his way into the final round by clocking a time of 1 minute and 01.19 seconds.
The session ended after the conclusion of all scheduled events whereas the position holders were awarded accolades for their dazzling efforts. In addition, the championship will complete on March 10 after the conclusion of all listed events.
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