Swimmer Anthony Stephens misses out on medal after fifth place finish (From This is The West Country)

Swimmer Anthony Stephens misses out on medal after fifth place finish

5:50pm Saturday 8th September 2012 in News By Daniel Milligan

SWIMMER Anthony Stephens missed out on the medals in the Men's 100m freestyle this evening (September 8) when he finished in fifth place.

The 26-year-old double leg amputee from Highbridge knocked two seconds off his season's best with a time of 1.17.23 but it was not enough to see him into the top three spots.

Earlier today, he swam a time of 1.19.05s to finish second in heat one.

After that race he told reporters: "I felt really good and it was a season's best for me I think.

"I'm awful at morning swims too so I was happy with the result.

"I have been struggling with elbow and shoulder injuries for a year or so now so it was the right thing to do to pull out of the fly event so I can be fresh for the freestyle."

Anthony finished agonisingly close in both the Men's 50m and 200m freestyle finals but only managed to secure fourth place.

On Thursday, he qualified for the Men's 50m backstroke final after finishing in third place with a time of 43.60s but he pulled out of the final.

Then on Friday he pulled out of the Men's 50m butterfly event to rest a niggling arm injury and ensure he can compete in today's final event in the pool.