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Swimming: SWIMMER TO PROVE HIS CLASS
BRITISH record holder Chris Walker-Hebborn has vowed to prove that his achievements in 2009 have been no fluke by outclassing the USA at the British Gas Duel in the Pool in Manchester this weekend.
The 19-year-old, from Bury St Edmunds, is one of 14 British competitors in the 36-strong European team, who aim to topple USA in swimming's equivalent to golf's Ryder Cup.
After a stunning junior career, Walker-Hebborn has enjoyed an impressive debut year in the senior ranks. The former Thurston Community College student showed just why he is so highly-rated in August, when he broke the 200m backstroke British record at the Rome World Championships. Walker-Hebborn's time of 1:56.05 was less than three tenths of a second away from a final berth.
The teenager will join forces with 14 Italians and eight Germans, against an America team headed by swimming legend Michael Phelps – and he admitted he will be drawing on his World Championship performances as inspiration.
"I went to Rome just for the experience," said Walker-Hebborn. "It was my first senior international and I just wanted to enjoy it but, then I made the semi-final and was so close to the final.
"It was definitely a confidence boost and I sat down with my coach in September and had a think about what steps I can take to keep moving forward and that starts at Duel in the Pool."
Walker-Hebborn has a proven pedigree as a junior having claimed seven medals in total at the World and European Championships – including six gold – in 2008.
Walker-Hebborn said: "Having raced guys like Ryan Lochte and Aaron Piersol and seen them at close quarters, having the opportunity to do so again is great."
"The fact the event is in Manchester is equally great. America are passionate about swimming – I think Michael Phelps has a lot to do with it – and we need to start being recognised ourselves."
Walker-Hebborn is currently studying a sports performance degree at the University of Bath - a course designed for elite athletes.
The former European and World junior champion, who trains at Bath's British Swimming Intensive Training Centre, returned to England last year after excelling in a two-year elite swimming school in Southport, Australia.
l The nation's leading energy supplier, British Gas, is the principal partner of British Swimming, supporting the sport at all levels: For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Saturday 04 February 2012
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