University of Bath-based swimmer Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, fresh from winning Britain’s first-ever medal in the women’s 200m individual medley on Monday, narrowly missed out on a place in the 200m freestyle final at the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
She was just three-hundredths of a second off the lead at the halfway mark of her semi-final but tired in the closing 50m and came sixth in 1:57.30, placing her tenth overall.
O’Connor has the relays to look forward to later this week.
Chris Walker-Hebborn was a fine fifth in Tuesday’s 100m backstroke final. The Commonwealth and European champion had qualified eighth-fastest from Monday’s semi-finals but saved his best swim for when it mattered and was just four-tenths of a second away from a podium place.
His time of 53.02 was just outside his personal best and Walker-Hebborn, coached by Dave McNulty and Graeme Antwhistle at the British Swimming National Centre Bath, said he was happy with his top-five placing.
“That is the second quickest I have ever been and, considering how the last two rounds went, I am really pleased with that,” he said.
Gold went to Australia’s Mitchell Larkin in 52.40, ahead of Camille Lacourt of France (52.48) and Matt Grevers of the USA (52.66).
Walker-Hebborn was the quickest of the two Brits in the final, with Liam Tancock eighth in 53:37, meaning he will line up in what looks to be a very strong 4x100m relay squad.
The World Championships continue on Wednesday morning, with Sports Performance graduate Calum Jarvis competing in the 100m freestyle heats.
