Cockermouth swim star Luke Greenbank expressed his delight at claiming victory in the Swim England Winter Championships 100m backstroke.
And in a second bonus, Greenbank also beat reigning Commonwealth champion Chris Walker-Hebborn to the touch at the event at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.
Greenbank was half a second from the qualifying time for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, touching in a new personal best time of 54.58 last night.
"I was really pleased with that,” said Greenbank, who has already been named on the 2018 Commonwealth team for 200m backstroke.
"It’s been a long time since I got a PB in the 100m back so I’m really pleased with it.
"I knew going in it was going to be a close one. Any of those guys could have taken it so I just tried to swim my own way and have my own race.
"I came back really strong which was good and part of my race plan."
The 200m backstroke heats and final are both due to take place on Sunday.
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