Karley Mann – European Junior Champion

Posted: 1st Aug 2010

Karley Mann (15 years) produced Hillingdon Swimming Club’s greatest ever individual performance when she was crowned the 200 meters Backstroke European Junior Champion in Finland.  Her time of 2.11.48 was a British Age Group Record breaking the 6 year old record previously held by Stephanie Proud. 

Karly entered the competition as 4th fastest seed after posting a time of 2.15.1 at the British Championships in March.  However, following a very intense training period Mann swam a huge personal best of 2.12.2 in the heats of the 200m backstroke on the first day of the Championships which was the fastest time in the event. 

Mann maintained her level of her performance through the semi-final to qualify fastest for the final.  In the final she defeated last year’s Champion Daryna Zevina from Ukraine. 

Karley’s winning time is currently ranked 25th fastest in the FINA World Rankings and would have placed her in last year’s World Championship Semi-Final that was held in Rome.

Following Karley’s incredible results she then took part in the shorter 100m event.  In the heats she became Great Britain’s quickest over the distance and qualified fastest for the final.  Despite her best efforts she was just touched out to 3rd, however, to her delight this was her 2nd medal of the Championships.

Finally, Karley was selected to lead out the Great Britain quartet in the Medley Relay.  The team qualified 2nd fastest through the heats and this was where they finished in the final, 1 second behind the German team.

Middlesex congratulates Karley for her triple success at the European Junior Championships – she is a shining example for others to follow.