Jackson claims new world record

BRITISH GAS SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Venue: Ponds Forge, Sheffield Dates: 16-20 March Coverage: Listen live from 1750-2000 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, Monday to Thursday and the BBC Sport website on Friday

Jo Jackson beat Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington to win the 400m freestyle in a new world record time at the British Swimming Championships.

The Yorkshire swimmer set the new mark of 4:00.66 to pip her rival who also broke Federica Pellegrini's previous world best by finishing in 4:00.89.

"I'd been swimming well in training - to get a world record has blown me away," Jackson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Wales' David Davies broke the British men's 400m free record to win gold.

606: DEBATE
" Day one in Sheffield was all about our Olympic medallists and they have raised their game "
BBC Sport's Karen Pickering

The 24-year-old set a time of 3:45.24, taking almost two seconds off David Carry's previous best mark.

"It's not quite world class - those guys are swimming 3:43 - but it's getting there," said the Welshman.

Meanwhile, victory for Jackson means she qualifies automatically for the 400m free at this year's World Swimming Championships in Rome.

"I knew I had been swimming well, I'd been swimming fast in training but you never know how you are going to swim in competition," added Jackson.

"I knew it was going to be so tough coming here because Becky is swimming amazingly.

"She really pushed me there, I wanted it so much. It's my first British record in the 400 and the world record. It's not a bad one."

Adlington will have another chance to gain qualification for the event at the second trials in Scotland in June.

"I'll have to try and come second again behind Jo, or win it, just to get a place on the team," she said. "I've got to try and do what I can."

The Mansfield swimmer revealed she has found it difficult to cope with the pressure since winning two golds at last year's Olympics.

"I've just turned 20," she told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Not even my mum and dad can teach me how to cope with the pressure."

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