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GB call beckons after teen machine's title heroics
WHAT a fantastic week young Sheffield swimming talent Matthew Johnson has just had - and he certainly looks on course to achieve his Great Britain ambitions.
The 14-year-old from the City of Sheffield Swimming Club returned with no few than 10 gold medals from the British Age Group Championships
In addition, he set eight new records for these championships including s;licing an amazing 10 seconds off the existing 14 years 400m individual medley mark.
"Matthew had an exceptional week and has shown himself to be the true champion that he can be," said Mark Lappin, assistant head coach at City of Sheffield SC.
"He's got a great support team around him. Hs teammates have been first rate - so too City of Sheffield Swim Club, British Swimming, Ponds Forge and of course his family.. The great team ethos keeps him together.
"He's a very honest and open guy and he works exceptionally hard in the pool. We have a great working relationship and he really listens to what I have to say.."
Looking to Matthew's future, he added: "He's starting to think about representing his country at whatever level that may be, of wearing the tracksuit and swimming for Great Britain."
Matthew's wins came in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 1,500m freestyle, 800 freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke, 200m backstroke, 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley (IM) and the and 400m IM.
His best came right at the end when he blew away the rest of the field in the 400 IM final with probably his most impressive performance of the Championships, knocking 10 seconds off the record with four minutes 28.40 seconds.
City of Sheffield won silver in the girls 4x200m freestyle relay (Molly Grayson, Ellie Pollard, Freya Mitchell and Tegan Turner-Clarke).
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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