• World Swimming Championships

Tancock continues Britain's gold rush

ESPN staff
July 31, 2011
Liam Tancock defended the title he won two years ago © Getty Images
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Liam Tancock followed in Rebecca Adlington's footsteps by claiming gold at the World Championships in Shanghai, Great Britain's second win at the event.

Defending champion Tancock, 26, was quickest into the 50 metres backstroke final and carried that pace forward, claiming victory in 24.50 seconds.

The Brit, who became the first British world record holder in 18 years during 2008, has maintained his status as the man to beat in the 50m event ahead of the London Olympics in 2012.

He has now won a total of five world medals since claiming a bronze on his senior international debut, which came at the 2005 championships in Montreal.

Meanwhile, Hannah Miley excelled in the 400m individual medley to win silver in 4:34.22, three seconds slower than Elizabeth Beisel of America.

Fran Halsall's Shanghai misery continued as she could only manage a fourth-place finish in the 50m freestyle. Halsall, who failed to claim a medal in the 100m event despite starting as favourite, ended 0.11 seconds outside third place in a race won by Theres Alshammar.

"I am not too disappointed to be honest," Halsall told BBC Sport. "I didn't expect to do anything in this event so if I can get some good training in over Christmas then maybe I can convert some of these fourths and fifths into medals."

Sun Yang broke a ten-year world record by clocking a time of 14:34.14 in the 1500m freestyle.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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