DANIELLE Hill’s outstanding time of 1:00.19 saw her claim a silver medal for Ireland in the final of the 100m backstroke at the World Aquatics Championships in Belgrade, missing out on gold by just 0.40 seconds on Saturday.
The Larne woman - who won gold in the 50m backstroke event on Thursday - earned just her second senior medal, as Poland’s Adela Piskorska edged her out by the finest of margins.
Lottie Cullen managed a fifth place finish in the same race, an impressive showing in The National Centre (Ulster) swimmer’s first senior event on an international stage. She completed her two lengths in 1:01.03.
Hill stated that she “can’t be disappointed” with second place, with adverse weather conditions another challenging factor as athletes faced stormy conditions in Serbia:
“I’ve had to deal with that before out in the gold coast at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, it was the 100 Backstroke semi-final. It was a bit nervy at times, but I got in the water and got the job done.”
“I knew tonight was going to be who wanted it more and put their hand on the wall first. Credit to Adela that she got her hand on the wall; I think it’s a massive personal best for her.
“Listen, it wasn’t to be tonight, but I can’t be disappointed with the silver medal.”
Hill is now only five weeks away from the commencement of her second Olympic Games, having raced for Ireland in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games that unfolded in 2021.