Japan meet - Day 4, 24 Aug 2007

Sun Goes Down on Long Course Season

It was the final day of competition at the Japan International Swimming Championships in Chiba, bringing to an end a demanding long course season for Scotland’s top swimmers.

Todd Cooper, Kris Gilchrist, Gregor Tait and Hannah Miley were all in action today and all succeeded in making it to the finals of their individual events.

Miley (Garioch) was just short of her British Record for the 200IM as she finished 5th in a very competitive final in a time of 2:14.49. The World Championships silver medallist, Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe won gold (2:10.83), ahead of Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Stephanie Rice of Australia who finished second in 2:12.21. Katarzyna Baranowska, the European Champion silver medallist of Poland won bronze in 2:13.15.

Gregor Tait (City of Edinburgh Swimming) just missed out on another medal in the final of the Men’s 200m IM.

In a close race that also saw Tait’s British Record being broken (for a second time) by the winner, Liam Tancock (Loughborough University) in 1:59.19, Tait was just edged out of the medals and finished fourth in 2:01.25. TP Patrick of USA was second in 2:00.59 with home favourite Ken Takakuwa of Japan in the bronze medal position (2:01.25).

Tait’s City of Edinburgh team-mate, Kris Gilchrist finished 6th in the ‘B’ final of the same event in 2:04.92.

Stirling Swim’s Todd Cooper fought hard to ensure a place in the 100m Butterfly final where he finished 8th in 54.21.

Both Cooper and Gilchrist also competed as part of the British Men’s 400m Medley Relay squad where they finished fourth in 3:39.04, behind Japan (3:33.35), USA (3:35.15) and Australia (3:35.42).

The Japan Open Meet took place between 21st-24th August in Chiba, Japan. There were six Scots on the 18-strong British team:

Kirsty Balfour - City of Edinburgh Swimming
Caitlin McClatchey - Loughborough University
Hannah Miley - Garioch

Todd Cooper - Stirling Swim
Kris Gilchrist - City of Edinburgh Swimming
Gregor Tait - City of Edinburgh Swimming