A 13-year-old swimmer from Salford has won three national medals, beating competitors several years older than her.
Amelie Blocksidge, from City of Salford Swimming Club, took home both the Junior and Senior titles in the 1,500 metres Freestyle and the 800 metres Freestyle Junior title.
John Stout, the aquatic development manager and head coach for the club who swam for England and Great Britain as a junior, said: “Amelie has done tremendously well and to achieve the times that she has and to win medals at the age of 13 is extraordinary.
“She’s the second fastest in the country for the 1,500 metres freestyle.”
Her success is inspiring the next generation of Salford swimmers.
The head coach added: “The youngsters see Amelie on a regular basis, so they see what she does in training and this inspires them because they have seen what she has achieved.
“I guess it can be compared to an extraordinary footballer like a Harry Kane at Tottenham, training alongside the 16/17 year olds. They wonder if they can reach the same levels as he has.”
WINTER NATIONALS DAY 2 – Amelie takes an incredible 👑 in the 1500m Junior & Senior!! 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/sL87F33pq7
— Co Salford Swimming (@CoSalfordSwim) December 4, 2022
Several other Salford club swimmers broke personal bests and reached finals at the Swim England Winter Nationals Day.
Gabby McCulloch reached the Junior 200 metres breaststroke final taking two seconds off her PB. Katie Lee was able to get four new personal bests.
Mr Stout said: “Katie is a local Salford girl who reached finals at the Winter Nationals and Gabby is only 13 years old and she was also competing in finals against people who are up to 17 years old.”
Salford has had 17 International swimmers since 2001. Amelie and the rest of the team will be hoping they can add to this tally.
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