Athletes that finish second in a time equal or better than that in the table will be considered for selection to a team that will have a maximum of 30 athletes.
Women’s 50m Backstroke
Blythe Kinsman headed the field in 28.09 ahead of 2023 world bronze medallist Lauren Cox (28.14) and Kathleen Dawson (28.95). Kinsman has enjoyed a fine junior career with silver at the 2023 European juniors among her silverware.
Women’s 200m Breaststroke
Angharad Evans has had a 2025 that indicates fine times to come. The University of Stirling swimmer did a three-second PB of 2:22,64 as she swept the breaststroke events at the BUCS Championships in February. On Thursday, she reached halfway in 1:07.60 before easing down on the final 75 to stop the clock in 2:25.36 to book lane four for the final. Evans was the only woman inside 2:30 followed by Elizabeth Booker (2:30.21) and Sienna Robinson (2:30.27).
Given her first 100, what was Evans’ objective on top of qualifying? She told Swimming World: “Honestly enjoying it. I went in and I didn’t necessarily feel my best but mentally I just wanted to be in that pool, I wanted to get my hand to the wall first. I just wanted a feel of how I was this morning because I didn’t do the 50. I had no idea where I was and I touched the wall expecting a 2:28 and to see a 2:25 is just a good confidence boost going into tonight.”
Her performance at BUCS exceeded her expectations but Evans has the mindset of ‘stay proud but never satisfied.’ Has she subsequently increased her own self-expectation?
“I’ve been focusing a lot on my body position which is such a big thing since then. I’ve beaten the qualifying time (2:23.04) once at BUCS, I was just over it in Edinburgh, so I really have to put a big shift in tonight to get it. And I think if I get everything perfect it can happen. It’s just about the what ifs, what ifs, going into this meet, going into the final. So I just have to keep my head strong: that is such a good confidence boost. So just about tweaking the small things and just giving everyone a really good run for their money tonight.”
Men’s 100m Backstroke
The two-length race is set to be a fine old tussle. Ollie Morgan lowered the British record to 52.70 at the Olympic trials last year and went on to place eighth in the final in Paris. The University of Birmingham swimmer booked lane four in 53.14 ahead of Matthew Ward – who won bronze at the 2023 European juniors and set a Scottish record of 53.60 for lane five. Jonny Marshall was third through in 53.76 followed by Cameron Brooker (53.94) and Luke Greenbank, the Tokyo 200 back bronze medallist clocking 54.13.
Women’s 50 Free
Eva Okaro – who set a s/c WJR of 23.66 at the short-course worlds in Budapest last December – headed the field in 24.90. The Repton swimmer was in oceans of space, 0.34 ahead of Rebecca Guy who was second through in 25.24 as just 0.57 separated second to eighth. Izabella Okaro just missed out on the final by one place and 0.01 in 25.82.
Men’s 100 Free
Matt Richards booked lane four after posting 48.07 in the final prelim as 1.08 separated the top eight. Jacob Mills – 2024 European juniors relay medallist – will be alongside the Welshman after going 48.11 at 17. Alex Cohoon (48.23), Jacob Whittle (48.55), Tom Dean (48.63) and Jack McMillan (48.83) were the other men inside 49secs while Alexander Painter was seventh in 49.06 with Ed Mildred returning from his 200 fly silver to clinch the final berth in 49.15. Joe Litchfield finished ninth in 49.38 with Lewis Burras – the 2022 world relay bronze medallist – in 11th.
Richards – the Olympic silver medallist in the 200 free – expects a seesaw battle in the final, telling Swimming World: “Absolutely yeah, 100 per cent. There’s some real speed in there from some of those guys. Jacob Mills – a youngster – goes 48.1 in the morning, it’s a cracking swim. Cohoon (Alexander Cohoon) as well – 48.2 in the morning, right around his PB, so it’s going to be a really good race, neither of them are going to make it easy. I think we’re in for a proper showdown tonight and I’m looking forward to it.”
The double Olympic relay champion set the British record of 47.45 en-route to fifth at the 2023 World Championships where he missed the podium by 0.03. He doesn’t discount the possibility of a new PB and national standard being what it takes to confirm a place in the 100 in Singapore.
“You never know. When you’ve got guys going that fast, there’s every chance it could need 47 low to be able to book a place on the team. I think I’m in really good shape. We’ve seen that this morning – 48.0 there – that’s a really good effort in the morning, I’m very happy with that. Hopefully we can move it on tonight and have a really good race.”
Men’s 1500 Free Slowest Heats
Makar Yakhno – who was born in 2010 – was fastest in 15:53.55, 0.25 swifter than Daniel Cox (15:53.80).
