Richards beats strong field to win British title

Matt Richards won a men’s 200m freestyle final containing four Olympic gold medallists on the final day of the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London.

Richards finished in a time of 1 minute 44.77 seconds, ahead of second-placed James Guy and Duncan Scott in third.

That trio, along with the injured Tom Dean, formed the quartet that won the 4x200m freestyle relay finals for Great Britain at each of the past two Olympics.

Jack McMillan, who also won gold at Paris 2024 having swum for Team GB in the relay heats, ended fourth.

Richards, who won individual silver in the men’s 200m freestyle in Paris, said: “You definitely feel the pressure and feel the anticipation – there’s a certain buzz around the building on the night of the 200m free.

“There’s a little bit of electricity and I love that atmosphere and that environment.”

Also on Sunday, Angharad Evans broke her second British record of the week in claiming her second title, following her success in the women’s 200m breaststroke with a time of 1:04.96 in the 100m event.

“To swim a 64 has been my mission and I’ve just got it, so I’m super happy with that,” she said.

“The best thing for a swimmer is seeing that time at the end of the race and knowing that all the hard work has been worth it.

“Seeing that is such a big confidence boost for what is a really exciting summer ahead.”

Eva Okaro won the women’s 50m freestyle for her third title – a feat matched by Oliver Morgan, who finished first in the men’s 200m backstroke.

Amelie Blocksidge, 17, finished more than seven seconds ahead of the rest of the field to win a third straight women’s 800m freestyle crown.

Callie-Ann Warrington broke her national record in both the heats and the final to win gold in the mixed classification women’s 50m freestyle.