Commonwealth Games – Ones to watch, day 2
Men’s 100 Back
2014 Winning time, 53.11, Chris Walker-Hebborn (England)
World record, 51.85, Ryan Murphy (U.S.A)
Although there are some very exciting events going on during the second day of competition including relays and the men’s 200 free we are choosing to have a look at this event as this is going to be one of the most important events for British Swimming in the key years leading into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In 2014 there were two Brits on the podium in this event. With Chris Walker-Hebborn taking the title and Liam Tancock taking joint bronze it seemed that Britain had some decent strength in this event. After neither of these two competing at this games, it turns over to the younger generation of backstroke swimmers to take the reins, so lets take a look at who might take this on.
England’s offering for the men’s 100 back is Loughborough teammates Elliot Clogg and Luke Greenbank. With Greenbank taking the victory at the Swim England Winter Championships last December in a personal best time of 54.58 and Clogg finishing just outside of the medals in a 54.88 after a personal best swim of 54.86 in the heats both lads seem to be on great form. With Clogg Just missing the finals earlier today this means we only have Greenbank left as a contender. Back in 2016 Luke attended a training camp at the pool in Australia and is no stranger to the pool and surroundings, meaning he is fully focused on pulling out the performance he needs.
Greenbank who is traditionally more of a 200 swimmer seems to be making a beeline for the first leg of the medley relay. After not hitting personal best form in the backstroke events since 2015 he seems to be back in record form and ready to step up to that mark that over the last decade that Tancock and Walker-Hebborn have left. After hitting a big cluster of 55.s in 2018 already Greenbank looks like he could challenge for a major medal in this event and even hitting a 55.09 at the British University Championships in February anyone would be silly to doubt his form!
Looking at this mornings swims he seemed to prove his form and will be looking to improve further to take one of the top spots! This swim is likely to be a very good indicator of his performance in the 200 Back.
Moving onto the final, with Clogg out the picture do we think Greenback can take the gold? What are your thoughts? Comment below!