City brothers will go head-to-head

Brothers from Sheffield Hallam University will go head-to-head in a national swimming competition in Sheffield this weekend.
Brothers go head to headBrothers go head to head
Brothers go head to head

Maz and Joe Litchfield, both sport and exercise science students, will compete in the 400m and 200m events at the upcoming British Universities and Colleges Sport National at Ponds Forge.

The brothers, from Pontefract, are both hoping to qualify for the World Championships this summer. Older brother Max, a second-year student, made his Olympic debut in Rio last year, and broke the BUCS record for the 400m IM event last year, winning himself the title of BUCS Sportsman of the Year.

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“It’s always nice to race at BUCS and represent Team Hallam,” said Max, aged 21, who swims with the City of Sheffield Swim Squad alongside his brother.

“Even though Joe’s my brother, I still want to beat him and I’m sure he wants to beat me as well. I’ve just got to go in there and race my best but whatever happens, it’s always nice to train and race alongside Joe.”

It will be first year student Joe’s first time competing in the BUCS Nationals. The 18-year-old was named European Junior champion last year and won a silver medal in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa in 2015.

Joe said: “BUCS is a totally different event and you’re swimming against people you’ve never met before.

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“Max and I haven’t really had a top-level competitive race yet as he’s always been a bit further ahead of me in the IMs but I’m hoping to get closer to him in the next couple of years. BUCS this weekend will be the first gala that Max and O will be going head to head in and I’m looking forward to it.”