As the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships continue at the London Aquatics Centre, the excitement is palpable as athletes vie for qualification spots for the upcoming World Championships. The event, running from April 15th to April 20th, serves as the sole qualifying competition for this summer's World Championships in Singapore, which will take place from July 27 to August 3.
On Day 2 of the championships, the spotlight shone brightly on Duncan Scott, who narrowly missed breaking the British record in the men’s 200m butterfly. Scott, already a decorated swimmer with a silver medal from the 200m individual medley and a gold with the 4x200m freestyle relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics, showcased his prowess in the pool. He finished the race with a time of 1:54.89, just 0.31 seconds shy of Michael Rock's long-standing British standard of 1:54.58 set back in 2009.
Scott's performance was not without competition, as 22-year-old Ed Mildred, who had set a personal best of 1:57.02 in the prelims, led the race for much of its duration. The two swimmers were neck-and-neck, with only a fraction of a second separating them at the final turn. Scott's strong finish allowed him to take the victory, while Mildred ultimately finished with a new personal best of 1:56.21, and James Guy secured third place in 1:59.44.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Max Morgan made headlines by claiming his first British title in the men’s 50m breaststroke, clocking a time of 27.69 seconds. Morgan, who had previously earned a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke, expressed his elation after the race, saying, "It’s amazing. I never thought I’d be a British champion, especially this soon, so I’m just buzzing." He credited his success to the support he receives from his family and his club, Reeds SC, which was founded by former GB swimmer Craig Gibbons.
Archie Goodburn, who finished just behind Morgan with a time of 27.76 seconds, has a remarkable story. Diagnosed with three inoperable brain tumors last June, Goodburn fought through immense challenges to compete at this level. “It’s been really tough. The last few days have been a real mental battle,” he said, showcasing incredible resilience and determination.
In the women’s events, reigning world champion Freya Colbert continued to dominate, securing the top seed in the women’s 400m individual medley with a time of 4:44.79. Colbert, who also made waves in the 200m freestyle with a lifetime best performance, is expected to be a key contender for the upcoming World Championships.
Fifteen-year-old Amalie Smith, who clocked an impressive 4:45.49 to claim the second seed in the 400m IM, is another rising star to watch. Her recent performances have set her up as a strong competitor, and she is already making a name for herself in the swimming community.
Max Litchfield also made waves in the men’s 400m IM, finishing with a time of 4:11.59, comfortably meeting the qualification standard for the World Championships. Charlie Hutchison followed him with a time of 4:14.92, while George Smith rounded out the top three with a time of 4:18.48.
In the women’s 100m backstroke heats, Katie Shanahan emerged as the fastest swimmer, posting a time of 1:00.66. This performance marks a new personal best for the 20-year-old, who is now GBR’s 13th-swiftest performer of all time in this event. Lauren Cox and Holly McGill followed closely behind, clocking times of 1:01.11 and 1:01.21, respectively.
The competition at the London Aquatics Centre has been fierce, with many athletes pushing themselves to achieve personal bests and secure their spots for the World Championships. The selection criteria set by Aquatics GB remain stringent, meaning that swimmers must not only finish first in their events but also meet specific time standards to qualify.
The excitement is set to continue as the championships progress, with more events scheduled for the coming days. Fans and supporters are eagerly awaiting to see who will rise to the occasion and earn their place on the national team for the World Championships in Singapore.
As the competition unfolds, athletes are not only competing for medals but also for the chance to represent Great Britain on the world stage. The stakes are high, and the pressure is palpable as each swimmer strives to meet the rigorous qualification standards established by Aquatics GB.
With several more days of competition ahead, the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships promise to deliver thrilling races and inspiring performances. Athletes are ready to seize their moment, and fans are eager to witness history in the making.
