Momentum can be a powerful psychological advantage in sport – and it is something Brodie Williams has in spades ahead of the LEN European Short Course Championships.
The Millfield School pupil has made major strides in the backstroke over the summer, delivering a 1:56.26 200m clocking in the 2019 Sette Colli Trophy in June.
That sensational showing confirmed his status as a rising star in the sport, also earning him fifth place in the British all-time list.
He then backed up that performance in Rome by producing a lifetime best in the 100m backstroke, stopping the clock in 54.23 to shoot up to eighth on the British all-time list.
Having demonstrated his potential, Williams continued to impress in August with another personal best in the 400m individual medley at the Phillips 66 Summer National Championships.
The 20-year-old’s display in California ensured he was rewarded for his summer with a ‘podium potential’ place on the British Swimming World Class Programme for the 2019/20 season.
Yet even before his Italian adventure kicked off a summer to remember, Williams was already making waves – starting at the FINA World Junior Championships in 2017.
He reached the finals of both the 400m individual medley and 200m backstroke, only narrowly missing out on the podium in both events as he finished fifth and sixth respectively.
Already a 200m backstroke British junior champion, Williams made the step up to senior national champion by winning the same event at the 2018 British Swimming Championships.
Williams went on to finish as the top Brit in the 100m and 200m backstroke events at the European Championships last year in Glasgow, just missing out on the finals in both.
On his return to Glasgow earlier this year for the British Swimming Championships, Williams came away with two bronze medals in the 200m backstroke and 400m individual medley.
Now, on the back of a summer which has seen him go from strength to strength, he will be eyeing up more medal success in Scotland at the European Short Course Championships.
Follow Brodie on social
Twitter – @Brodie_03
Instagram – @brodiewilliams99
Short Course Personal Bests
100m backstroke – 52.27
200m backstroke – 1:52.54
400m individual medley – 4:11.97
Fun Fact – He is coached by former Olympian and Millfield director of swimming Euan Dale.