Champion defies serious injury

A 16-year-old swimmer upset the odds by becoming both a junior and senior champion at the ASA Midlands Regional Championships in Coventry, a year to the day after suffering injury heartbreak.

Josh Stephenson-Ganner, of North Clifton, fought back from a broken collar bone, which kept him immobile for eight weeks, to win the 1,500m freestyle in 16-46-05, nine seconds ahead of his rivals.

The Nova Centurion representative also smashed his personal best by around eight seconds to finish third in the 400m freestyle and boost his national ranking from 32nd to 14th.

His mother, Jude Stephenson-Ganner said: “We were very worried that he would not be able to swim again after suffering the injury.

“But since the injury he has gone from strength to strength, which no one could have predicted.

“His performances of late have been top quality and he still has a lot of growing to do. Who knows what Josh could achieve when he becomes bigger and stronger.

“Josh’s big target is to be in the pool for the British Championships. If he can do that he will have had a fantastic year.”

The teenager is aiming to hit a British Championships qualifying time at a City of Sheffield premier meeting on May 27.

To qualify for the senior British Championships, he must shave around six seconds off his personal best.