Swimming: Webb left with bitter-sweet feeling at Championships (From Gazette Series)

Swimmer Richard Webb qualifies for the Commonwealth Games and European Championships

8:00am Thursday 8th April 2010 in Sport

CHIPPING Sodbury’s Richard Webb booked two tickets to the Commonwealth Games at the British Gas Swimming Championships - but admitted to leaving Sheffield with a bitter taste in his mouth.

The 22-year-old secured his first place on the plane to India by scooping bronze in the 100m breaststroke before adding a second with silver in the 200m equivalent.

However, Webb’s joy was coupled with frustration as he was twice pipped to top honours by Scottish swimmers Kris Gilchrist and Michael Jamieson in the 100m and 200m respectively.

With six months still to go until he is presented with the chance for revenge at the Commonwealth Games, Webb has vowed to devise a cunning plan to avoid a repeat.

“I am going to take a couple of days off and chill out and then, because the Commonwealths aren’t until October, I will start a new cycle over again,” said Webb.

“It will be like September and the start of the season all over again when I get back.

“Of course I would have liked to get my first national title but I am going to have to do well at the Commonwealths to make up for it now.

“My main focus was on the 200m breaststroke and trying to win but it has been really hard to stay focused because it is such a long week.

“I came off the 100m with a real high and maintaining that competitiveness right until the end of the week has been pretty tough.”

Webb’s time in the 200m breaststroke - 2:11.52 minutes - was also good enough to secure him selection for the European Championships in Budapest in August.

And despite initially being disappointed with his performance on the final night at Ponds Forge, Webb has vowed to look at the bigger picture with European selection gained.

“I was actually a bit disappointed with the time but it is job done because it qualified me for Europeans and qualified me for the Commonwealths and that is what I was looking for,” he added.

“I have made the teams and now it is time for me to start focusing on performing better when I’m out there.

“It is the fastest I have swum this season. As I said it’s a bit disappointing because it is off my personal best but it is good enough.”

The nation’s leading energy supplier British Gas is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, and have pledged £15m to support the sport at all levels - from paddling pool to podium. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming