Shane Ryan broke a five-year-old Irish Record to progress to the semi-finals of the 100m Freestyle on day two of racing at the World Swimming Championships (SC) in Budapest.
The triple Olympian swam an impressive 46.23 seconds in the 100m Freestyle heats, knocking .45 of a second off his own 2019 record of 46.68.
The time saw the 30-year-old National Centre Dublin swimmer place third in his heat, advancing to the semi-final in sixth place overall.
Speaking after the race Ryan said, ‘I knew the record was going to come down as I’ve been working more on Freestyle, but that’s my first full 100m since the Olympic Games, when I was training I never did a full 100m, so it was a bit sloppy, but we can clean it up and try and sneak under 46 (seconds).’
‘My main thing is that I naturally have a lot of speed, I barely tried on that first 25m and just tried to put together a good race, a clean race, I think that’s really important, not really focussing on the time, or anyone else, like yeah I was looking at everyone but they were just there to help me get along, but I had a plan in place and it worked out, so I just need to try clean it up a little bit more.’
The 100m Freestyle Semi-Final will take place on Wednesday at 16.58 (IRL).
Also, in action on Wednesday morning, Danielle Hill returned to the pool for the 100m Freestyle heats, where she touched in 53.66, just outside her Irish Record of 53.03. The Larne swimmer returns for her third race, on Thursday, in the 50m Backstroke.
Niamh Coyne clocked 1:07.49 in the 100m Breaststroke to place ninth in her heat. The National Centre Dublin swimmer is back in action on Saturday in the 50m Breaststroke.
In the Men’s 100m Breaststroke heats, Eoin Corby was close to his best of 58.38, touching in 58.63 for ninth in his heat. Corby next competes in the 200m Breaststroke on Friday.
Day 2 Heats Results – Wednesday 11th December
| Female 100m Freestyle | Danielle Hill | 53.66 (26th) |
| Male 100m Freestyle | Shane Ryan | 46.23 (6th) ISR |
| Female 100m Breaststroke | Niamh Coyne | 1:07.49 (40th) |
| Male 100m Breaststroke | Eoin Corby | 58.63 (32nd) |
Day 2 Finals Schedule – Wednesday 11th December
| Male 100m Freestyle | Shane Ryan | 16.58 IRL |
The post Ryan Advances to World Semi-Final in New Irish Record appeared first on Swim Ireland.
