Anderson highlights relay pedigree with second Commonwealth silver
Freya Anderson made it Commonwealth two silver medals in as many days as she underlined her status as a relay standout.
An Olympic gold medallist last year in the mixed medley relay in Tokyo, Anderson helped England’s women to silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.
Alongside Anna Hopkin, Abbie Wood and international newcomer Isabella Hindley, Anderson brought the team home, holding off the charge of Canada to take the silver medal behind Australia.
And with the England men matching them a matter of minutes later, the relay teams have stepped up so far in Birmingham.
Anderson said: “I’m happy with a silver, it was always going to be a tough battle between us and Canada so we're happy we got our hand on the wall first.
“The boys have got a silver as well so we'll keep building this momentum and try and get golds later in the week, that would be exciting.”
Earlier in the evening, Holly Hibbott finished seventh in the final of the 100m butterfly, a good omen ahead of the 200m later this week which is her main focus.
Having only switched from distance freestyle this year, Hibbott did not expect much from the sprint butterfly, but followed up a pair of personal bests on Friday with a time of 59.28 in the final, marginally off her best.
Now the focus turns to the 200m butterfly which begins on Tuesday.
She said: “I’m looking forward to the 200m in a few days now. All my training is geared around the 200m, I’m definitely not a sprinter, more focused on the distance. I’m swimming well and back to my best. And the crowd is amazing, we haven’t had a crowd for three years, so I came out and soaked up all the atmosphere. I’m pleased with that.”
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