Grantham’s Freya wins medal at the Euros

Grantham swimmer Freya Colbert got herself on the podium at the European Aquitics Chamionships in Rome last night.

She picked up her first individual medal on the senior international stage, a brilliant and brave swim delivering her bronze in the Women’s 400m Individual Medley.

Colbert – who trains with Nova Centurions – grasped the initiative within the first 50m of butterfly from lane two, attacking the race to lead at halfway after a strong 100m of backstroke. She is also a member of Grantham Swimming Club.

The 18-year-old remained in contention for the title during her well-paced breaststroke, and while the early pushes meant she was unable to kick on during the closing 100m of freestyle, Freya had built enough of an advantage over the chasing pack to ensure she touched in third and picked up that memorable bronze.

Asked to reflect on how she felt about making her World Championship debut and winning European and Commonwealth medals in the space of two months, she said: “I always wanted to do that, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting the dream to come true this year.

Freya Colbert (right) won bronze in the Women’s 400m Individual Medley

“I had a tough year last year, but this one has just been amazing, going higher and higher each time. I’m so happy to have a first individual international medal – the relays were really great, but I’m happy to have this one all to myself too.

“I’m really happy. I feel I raced it well, went out there and got in the mix. I slightly paid for it at the end, I was quite close to the silver but I’m happy to make the podium. It was similar to my time in the Commonwealth Games final, so just to have the consistency two weeks later has boosted my confidence quite a bit.”

Earlier this month, the former KGGS student picked up another bronze at the Commonwealth games.