Willis and Jamieson achieve Olympic qualifying standard

08 March 2012

University of Bath student Andrew Willis clocked the fastest time for the 200m breaststroke in the world this year to achieve the London 2012 Olympic qualification standard.

The 21-year-old Chemical Engineering student produced a stunning performance to dip more than two seconds under the qualification standard last night at the British Championships, being held at the London 2012 Aquatics Centre.

In doing so he beat British Gas Bath Intensive Training Centre (ITC) training partner Michael Jamieson into second place. Sports Performance student Jamieson also achieved the Olympic qualifying standard, but Kris Gilchrist missed out in third.

Willis (pictured) lowered his English record to 2:09.33 with Jamieson, the Commonwealth Games silver medallist, coming home in 2:09.84.

“It was a really competitive race,” said Willis after winning his first British Championships title. “I just gave everything in the last 50m. I wasn’t expecting to be that quick. My coach said ‘just go for it’ and I went for it.

“This week has been really nerve-wracking for me. It will be a few days before qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics sinks in. A bit of time off is much needed. I will go home, see the parents and family, then go back to training.”

Jess Dickons was just edged out of the top two places in last night’s 200m butterfly final, coming third behind Ellen Gandy and Gemma Lowe.

Stacey Tadd was the fastest qualifier for tonight’s 200m breaststroke final.

For further information please contact the Team Bath press office at Matchtight Ltd on 01225 383518 or by email at press@matchtight.co.uk

You can also find out more about Team Bath at www.teambath.com ,follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teambath or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/teambath

The University of Bath is The Sunday Times University of the Year 2011/12.

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