Two gold medals and a silver at the British Swimming Championships have put Stornoway swimmer Kara Hanlon in contention for a place at July’s World Aquatics Championships in Japan.

The British champion was among Scottish swimmers who dazzled on the final evening at Ponds Forge, Sheffield last night (Sunday 9 April) with fast swimming, personal bests, and Scottish records.

Kara’s second British title of the meet was a sub-67-second gold in the 100m breaststroke. Her time of 1:06.83 was just fractionally outside her Scottish Record.

It puts her into contention for the selectors to choose her among the squad representing Britain at the World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, starting on 14 July.

Speaking to Scottish Swimming as the meet closed last night, Kara said: “I’m really proud of the consistency of performance I’ve been able to deliver this season. I want to be faster, but I can come away from here knowing there is more to give.

“I’m really hoping for a discretionary pick. But it’s out of my control and it’s up to the selectors now.”

Whether or not she’s selected, the results from the British Championships have pleased both her and Scottish Swimming, last night’s gold medal place adding to a gold at 50m and silver at 200m.

Kara said: “I’m really chuffed to come away with the win. I would have liked to have been a wee bit closer to the consideration time. But I guess it’s just one of those things.

“At least I won, did a really good race and that was the second fastest time I’ve done. A year ago if you told me I’d be doing 1:06’s I’d be pretty shocked.

“I feel like I’m putting in some good work and it’s all paying off. Hopefully I have a good summer ahead of me.

“I’ve improved my confidence and am structuring the race a lot better, playing it to my strengths and really coming home quick in the last 25.”

Kara has already been selected to swim for the Western Isles in the 2023 Island Games in Guernsey from 8-14 July, though her attendance will depend on what the British team selectors decide.

The Western Isles Island Games Association last night congratulated her on her achievement, describing her as ‘an inspiration to young athletes from the Western Isles and beyond.’

Picture from Scottish Swimming and British Swimming