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#WhittleWatch Once Again, as 14-Year-Old Brit Clocks 50 Free Age Record

2019 EUROPEAN JUNIOR SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

While competing on the final day of the 2019 European Junior Championships, 14-year-old Jacob Whittle lowered the British Age Record for 14-year-olds in the 50m freestyle.

Entering these Championships in Kazan, Whittle already held the Age Record in the sprint event with the 23.63 he produced at this year’s British Championships. That’s the same meet where the Derventio Excel athlete produced a monster 50.37 100m free record, which he also lowered here to an eye-popping 49.97 here in Kazan. He is the fastest known 14-year-old swimmer ever in the 100m free event with his efforts.

This morning, Whittle fired off a lifetime best of 23.52 in the 50m free to ultimately finish 21st out of the heats. Although that’s well out of the 16th spot for tonight’s semi-final, the Jamie Main-trained teen has announced himself once again as a rising receiver of the sprint torch from the likes of National Champion and World Championships medalist Ben Proud in the future.

Of note, Whittle’s Age Record-breaking partner-in-crime, Matt Richards, was not among the men’s 50m freestyle field this morning, instead focusing on his 200m free final and men’s medley relay tonight.

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Caleb
5 years ago

Don’t get me wrong, insane time for a 14 y/o, but with 49.9 you’d think his 50 would be faster.

Does this kid have a terrible start?

Or does he have a monster 200 in him? Does he swim the longer race?

Curious Swimma
Reply to  Braden Keith
5 years ago

Seems like the 100free is the perfect fit for him, he is very back half driven, might be able to pull out a good 200free in a few years. Seems like GB are getting themselves their very own Kyle Chalmers type swimmer

Dee
Reply to  Caleb
5 years ago

He looks more a 100/200 type long term, but yes his start is probably the poorest part of his race – Good once he is into the water, strong kicks, but he kind of flops off the block; Lost ½ a body length off the block even against age peers are nationals a few months back – It has improved since then though.

Anon
Reply to  Caleb
5 years ago

Start

Jimbo
5 years ago

When a 23.5 won’t get top 16 excuse me. And top seed is a 22.3 yeah I quit

Guy
5 years ago

Interesting seeing this kid go 23.5/49.9 while when Michael Andrew was 14 he was going 23.2/51.3

BSD
Reply to  Guy
5 years ago

23.19*

Dee
5 years ago

How do you go 49.9, with a 25.5 backhalf, when your best 50 is 23.5? Kid has insane stroke economy.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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