Dubai: UAE-based swimming club Hamilton Aquatics are looking to build upon last year’s third-place finish at the British Age Group Championships with another podium finish at this year’s event in Sheffield from July 30 to August 3.
Hamilton won seven gold medals and three silvers to finish third behind Leeds and Plymouth last year, beating the likes of Birmingham, Manchester and Swansea.
The Czech Republic’s Jakub Karl, 14, from Jumeirah College won four gold medals and two silvers, while South Africa’s Cameron Matthews, 13, from Dubai College took home three gold medals and one silver.
Both Karl and Matthews are back in the squad this year along with French-Irish swimmer Sean McNicholl, 12, of Dubai British School.
Karl will attempt to defend his 200-metre freestyle, 400m freestyle and 200m butterfly gold medals, and his 100m butterfly silver medal, while also taking part in the 100m freestyle.
Matthews will be out to retain gold medals in the 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley, and his silver in last year’s 400m individual medley. He will also take part in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle.
Meanwhile, McNicholl will compete in the 100m and 200m backstroke, 100butterfly and the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle.
“We would like to try and improve, if not our position on the medals table, our total number of medals,” said head coach Ash Morris. “We won seven gold medals and three silvers between two boys last year. The target this year is to win 10 gold medals between three, it’s tough but achievable.
“The main advantage we have is that most schools in England only broke up for the summer holidays recently, whereas our boys have been on holiday since the end of June. “That’s given our boys an extra three weeks of training.
“Having won events last year, our boys will look to defend their titles and will be the fastest-ranked swimmers in many events, so each boy has an equal and realistic chance of medaling in their events.”
