3 months ago
29
JAMAICAN SWIMMER Nathaniel Thomas has said the national records in the men’s 50-metre backstroke and the men’s 50-metre freestyle are on his radar after setting two meet records at the Neville Alexander Memorial swim meet over the weekend.
Thomas raced to an impressive 26.76 seconds in the 50m backstroke, just shy of the national record of 26.47.
He followed that up with another brilliant time in the 50m freestyle, clocking 23.52, this time falling well outside the national record of 22.82.
After the race, he said both records are now under threat as he is confident he can eclipse the times in the coming months.
“The national record has been on my radar for some time now, I’d say about a year now,” he said. “It’s definitely achievable within the next couple of months.”
However, before he can take aim at the records, Thomas acknowledged there are still elements of his race that he will need to improve.
The Pursue University swimmer said while he is satisfied with his race start, he will need to improve his technique in the latter stages of his events.
“I just need to make sure I work on the back half of the race,” said Thomas.
“I think my front half is where I am the strongest. I am the fastest off the blocks, fastest to the 15 [-metre mark] and fastest to the 25.
“I think maintaining that speed through the 25 to the final is where I am lacking the most, so I need to be mindful of that going forward.”
Another aim for Thomas this season will be achieving the World Championships ‘B’ standard qualifying time.
The ‘B’ standard this year in the men’s 50m freestyle stands at 22.82, while the standard for the men’s 50m backstroke stands at 25.99.
Thomas is aiming to achieve the mark before the end of the qualification period on June 15.
“I just want to swim fast and get a fast time on the board. But it is definitely something on my radar going forward, and that ‘B’ cut is also on my radar,” he said.
“I think the ‘B’ cut times are definitely achievable within the next couple months, and those are definitely times that I am striving towards in the future.”
English (US) ·