Craig Benson (swimmer)

Craig Benson in 2013

Craig Benson (born 30 April 1994) is a Scottish swimmer who was born in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland.[1][2][3] At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he competed in the men's 100 metre breaststroke, finishing in sixth place in the second semifinal, failing to reach the final. He also swam in the heats of the men's 4x100 metres medley relay. He was the youngest swimmer of the GB swimming squad at these Olympics.[4]

In 2011 Benson, at 17 years old, was selected for the 2011 European Junior Swimming Championships in Belgrade where he won a silver medal in the 100 metres breaststroke[5] was fourth in the 50 metres breaststroke and 4x100 metres medley relay.[6]

A few weeks later Benson won the World Junior men's championship for the 100 metres breaststroke at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Lima, Peru in 2011 and was second in the 50 metres breaststroke. He holds the World Junior men's record for the 100 metres breaststroke.[7][1]

Benson then won the 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres breaststroke and won silver in the 4x100 metres medley relay at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man.[8][1] and was named Athlete of the Games.[9]

Benson, won a bronze medal at the 2012 European Junior Swimming Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, 0.04 seconds behind the winner, Olympic swimmer Dănilă Artiomov.[3] He also swam in the 2012 European Short Course Swimming Championships in Chartres, France, and was part of the Medley relay squad that broke the British record.[10]

He was awarded the Sunday Mail Young Sports Personality of the Year award in 2012.[11]

Swimming

In 2013 he was swimming for Warrender Baths Club[12] where his coaches were Laurel Bailey and Kris Gilchrist.[13][12] Benson moved to the University of Stirling High Performance Centre following the 2014 Commonwealth Games. He now studies and resides in the City.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Welcome to Craig Benson's Profile Page Scottish Swimming, Retrieved 11 February 2013
  2. ↑ "Craig Benson". London2012.com. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tait, Chris (24 July 2012) Craig Benson could soon be living his dream The Hrerald, Scotland, Retrieved 29 May 2013
  4. ↑ Watson, Alistair (2 August 2012) Swimming sensation Craig Benson makes Olympic debut in London The West Lothian Courier, Retrieved 11 February 2013
  5. ↑ Lord, Craig (7 March 2012) "Craig Benson", The Times Olympics, also available on the Internet for a subscription at , Retrieved 14 September 2014
  6. ↑ (7 December 2011) Successful European campaign for Warrender SwimEasy, Retrieved 16 February 2013
  7. ↑ "FINA World Junior Championships: Several More Meet Records Fall on Day Two". Swimming World Magazine. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  8. ↑ (2011) Competitor Details, Craig Benson Commonwealth Youth Games 2011, Isle of Man, 7 to 13 September 2011, Retrieved 18 February 2013
  9. ↑ Craig Benson named Athlete of the Games at Commonwealth Games Dinner Scottish Swimming, Retrieved 11 February 2012
  10. ↑ "Mixed 4x50m Medley Relay Heats Results". Omega Timing. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  11. ↑ Waddell, Gordon (9 December 2012) Sunday Mail Sports Awards: London 2012 stars win standing ovation at inspirational ceremony The Daily Record (Scotland), Retrieved 11 February 2013
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 (10 April 2013) Swimming: No hangover for Benson as he follows path of a legend The Herald, Retrieved 22 April 2013
  13. ↑ "Craig Benson". Team GB. Retrieved 28 July 2012.