We’ve been anxiously watching Ben Proud’s development under Jon Rudd at Plymouth Leander for a few years now.
Just 21 years young, this kid is really fun to watch. He, like Ryan Hoffer, is straight shredded. Proud’s increase in muscle mass over the last year is evident in the videos.
This weekend Ben Proud rewrote the British record books:
50 SCM Free: 20.74 (breaking Mark Foster’s record of 21.13 from 2001!)
His race starts at 3:00.12.
100 SCM Free: 45.97 (he broke this twice originally besting Adam Brown’s 46.75 and then leading off the relay at night to dip under 46)
His race begins at 2:13.06.
50 SCM Fly: 22.39 (this broke Mark Foster/Antony James/Adam Barrett’s crazy 3 way tie of 22.87)
His race begins at 32:45.
Proud is a true blue sprinter. The real deal. His focus since his childhood hasbeen on the 50’s. It’s clear this focus hasn’t wavered.
I’m sure Ben wouldn’t mind seeing the Olympics add the 50’s of each stroke into the 2020 lineup.
After dipping under 46 in the 100 Free he stated:
“I’m not a 100 meter freestyler.”
Keep an eye out for this young man as we get closer to Rio. He will be a very important part of the British relay teams and we didn’t even talk about his best event — the 100 Fly — because he didn’t swim it this weekend. I think he has the potential to break 50 seconds in the 100 Fly LCM. There, I said it!
Also of note…
Along with teammate Ruta Meilutyte, they became spokespeople for Plymouth’s Learn to Swim Campaign earlier this year.
“I spent most of childhood swimming and it was such fun. Swimming is great and anyone can learn to do it, if you just try it.”
#FunnestSport anyone?