Swim Ireland – Tom Fannon Best of Team Ireland on Day Six in Fukuoka

 

Ireland’s Tom Fannon produced Ireland’s best result on the sixth day of the World Aquatics Championships in Japan, finishing twentieth in the Men’s 50m Freestyle.

Fannon, who holds the Irish Record of 21.95 in the event, was making his senior international debut for Ireland and was just outside the semi-final places by .08 of a second, finishing in 22.13. The National Centre Dublin swimmer, who was hoping to achieve the Olympic Qualification time of 21.96 this morning, spoke after his race ‘It was ok, I’m extremely disappointed I won’t lie, I felt like the preparation for this has been the best preparation I’ve ever had going into a meet. At the start of the week, I was extremely fast in training, it felt fast in the water as well and I think that’s why I’m more upset because it felt so good. You have to swim the 50 perfectly, it has to be the perfect race, I felt like I did a good job, but not quite where I need to be at.’

Danielle Hill continued a busy week in the heats of the 50m Butterfly. The Larne swimmer posted her fastest ever morning swim in the event to finish second in her heat and thirtieth overall in 26.90 ‘I’m actually really happy to dip under 27 (seconds), I think that’s my fastest ever morning swim and so yes a massive positive for me as stepping up in the morning is never easy for me; it’s something that I’m learning, unfortunately learning the hard way, but still learning, so yes I’m happy. It’s a nice warm up, hopefully do something nice tomorrow (50m Freestyle) and then finish off with the girls on Sunday (4x100m Medley Relay)’.

In the 100m Butterfly, Max McCusker made his championship debut clocking 53.46, his fourth fastest time ever and was fortieth overall. Speaking after the race McCusker said ‘It was ok, a bit slow, to be honest I thought I’d be faster, but my first race at World Championships, would have been good to do something earlier in the week and flush it out but it’s fine, it was a decent time.’

Tomorrow, on the penultimate day of racing at the World Championships, Finalists and Olympic Games qualifiers Daniel Wiffen and Mona McSharry return to the pool. Wiffen goes in his favoured 1500m Freestyle, where the 22-year-old is currently ranked second, while McSharry competes in the 50m Breaststroke. Ireland’s fastest ever female swimmer Danielle Hill will compete in the 50m Freestyle and Conor Ferguson returns to the pool for the 50m Backstroke.

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Friday 27th July Results

Men 100m Butterfly Max McCusker 53.46 (40th)      

Men 50m Freestyle Tom Fannon 22.13 (20th)      

Women 50m Butterfly Danielle Hill 26.90 (30th)      

           

Saturday 28th July Schedule

Women 50m Freestyle  Danielle Hill 2:32am (Ireland)

Men 50m Backstroke Conor Ferguson 2:55am (Ireland)

Women 50 Breaststroke Mona McSharry 3:10am (Ireland)      

Men 1500m Freestyle Daniel Wiffen 3:52am (Ireland)