• British Swimming Championships

Gandy shines as Halsall puts injury hell behind her

ESPN staff
March 6, 2011
Fran Halsall was delighted after she finished runner-up behind Ellen Gandy in the 100m butterfly final © Getty Images
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Ellen Gandy showcased her talent with a dominant victory in the 100metres butterfly at the British Swimming Championships, while Fran Halsall marked her return from injury with a second-placed finish.

Gandy, 19, showed maturity to touch in 57.68seconds - booking her place on the Great Britain team for the World Championships in Shanghai.

"I'm really happy with the time," she said. "I wanted to go 59, 58, 57 from heats to finals and I know my coach will be happy. I wasn't looking at what anyone else was doing. I knew I had it in me to come back hard so I wanted to get out as fast as I can."

Halsall, who had ankle surgery three months ago and only started kicking at the end of January, was understandably elated with her performance.

"I'm so emotional," she said. "It's been so hard for me the past few months not being me and not being like me and doing training sets and not being anywhere near the times I usually am. Coming into this I knew I wasn't in as much form as I usually am so it was really difficult trying to get my head around what was going on.

"To go a 58.99 when six weeks ago I couldn't even stand on the blocks and dive in, I am just so proud of myself. It shows if you believe in what you are doing and keep confidence in yourself you can do anything."

World 50m backstroke champion Liam Tancock was the fastest qualifier for the 100m final, despite stepping off the gas in the last 25m.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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