Tom pipped for bronze

TOM HOLLINGSWORTH finished an agonising fourth in the final of the ASA National Championships 200m butterfly yesterday. The 19-year-old Sarnian produced another excellent swim at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, but just missed out on a podium spot as he clocked 2min. 1.89sec.

Ironically, bronze medallist Andrew Mayor touched in the identical time to Hollingsworth's island record performance in Sunday's semi-final.

The young Guernseyman gave it his all in the final and was holding silver medal position behind the eventual clear winner Michael Rock at the 100m and 150m marks. However, both Mayor and Lewis Smith edged past him on the final lap to push him out of the medals.

'My coach was telling me afterwards that to go to university for the first time and having to mix what that brings with training and do what I have done is really good.'

At the weekend, Hollingsworth had got his championships off to an excellent start, producing a lifetime best in the 200m individual medley.

He clocked 2-07.77 to slice three seconds off his own island long-course record, which he set at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games last year.

Having been ranked 52nd overall going into the heat, that time placed Hollingsworth 12th and earned him a semi-final spot.

He swum a marginally slower time in that semi and finished a creditable 13th overall.

The following day saw him begin his campaign in his number one event, the 200m butterfly. He produced another excellent performance in the heats to set a new personal best of 2-02.46 -- the second fastest time of the round.

Very much aware that some of the top swimmers had paced themselves in the heats, Hollingsworth knew he had to give everything in the semi to stand a chance of qualifying for the final.

He did just that and broke Ian Powell's island record as he touched in 2-01.08 to rank third going into the final.

'I did not think I would go this quick, but it is down to all the hard work I have put in with my coach,' Hollingsworth said.

Today, Hollingsworth will start his campaign in the 100m fly.

'I am not really a sprinter but I should be on for a PB in it,' he said.

Alison Frankland, his long-time mentor at the Barracudas, was thrilled at his results so far.

'I am so delighted that Tom has been rewarded for all his hard work,' she said.