Emily Large and Bath alumna Anna Hopkin help London Roar set record points tally in International Swimming League opener
Eye-catching performances from University of Bath-based Emily Large and alumna Anna Hopkin helped London Roar record the highest number of points in an International Swimming League fixture and start their 2020 campaign in fantastic style.
Hopkin (pictured), who trained with Mark Skimming’s student swimming squad while studying Sports & Exercise Science, swam the anchor leg of an impressive women’s 4x100m freestyle relay victory as Roar opened up a 97-point lead at the end of day one of their opening round in Budapest.
She then got day two off to a flying start, powering to second place in the 100m freestyle in 54.42 before setting a rapid 52.05 split to help Roar finish runners-up in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.
“I had so much fun racing tonight, and especially being part of London Roar and for the team to do so well on our first match,” said Hopkin. “It’s exciting to see where we can build from here.”
Large, who has joined the British Swimming National Centre Bath squad based at the Team Bath Sports Training Village in recent weeks, also impressed as she finished a fine third in the women’s 200m butterfly after vying for the lead with Olympic Champion Katinka Hosszu throughout.
“Being back racing was such a good feeling and one that we’ve all been waiting a long time for,” said Large, who is coached by David McNulty in the London 2012 Legacy Pool. “I can’t wait to race again in a week’s time and just get more race practice under my belt. We can only get better!”
Roar’s record-breaking final tally of 610.5 points put them well clear of runners-up Team Iron (392.5), with DC Trident (350.0) third and Aqua Centurions (344.0) fourth. Roar will next be in action on October 30-31.
Find out more about the swimming programme at the University of Bath – including public swim-fit sessions in the London 2012 Legacy Pool – by clicking here.
