Nowacki Cruises To Top Seed In The 200 Breast At 2026 Aquatics GB Championships

The British swimming star continues his hunt for his first senior national title.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:38am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a swimmer's breaststroke motion, with sharp planes of vibrant blues, greens, and reds overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of a swimmer's powerful breaststroke technique, capturing the fluid motion and energy of the event.Northampton Today

In the penultimate day of the 2026 Aquatics GB Championships, Filip Nowacki posted the top time in the men's 200m breaststroke prelims, touching in 2:10.35. Nowacki, who has already qualified for the European Championships in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, is chasing the qualifying time of 2:09.50 in this event. Other standout performances came from Keanna Macinnes in the women's 100m butterfly and Abbie Wood in the women's 200m individual medley.

Why it matters

The Aquatics GB Championships serve as a key qualifier for major international competitions like the Commonwealth Games and European Championships. Nowacki's dominance in the breaststroke events puts him in prime position to add another title to his growing resume, while Macinnes and Wood are also seeking to cement their spots on the British national team.

The details

In the women's 100m butterfly, Keanna Macinnes won her heat in 57.93, just off her Scottish record. Ciara Schlosshan was second in 58.19. In the women's 200m IM, Abbie Wood cruised to the top seed in 2:11.88, just shy of the European Championships qualifying time. Leah Schlosshan and Amalie Smith rounded out the top three. In the men's 200m breaststroke, Nowacki's 2:10.35 gave him a comfortable margin over Greg Butler (2:12.77) and Christian Ryan (2:12.97).

  • Nowacki posted his time of 2:10.35 in the prelims this morning.
  • The finals for the 200m breaststroke will take place tonight.

The players

Filip Nowacki

A British swimmer who has already qualified for the European Championships in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events. He is the top seed in the 200m breaststroke at these championships.

Keanna Macinnes

A Scottish swimmer who won the prelims of the women's 100m butterfly in 57.93, just off her own national record.

Abbie Wood

A British swimmer who posted the top time in the women's 200m individual medley prelims, clocking 2:11.88 and coming close to the European Championships qualifying standard.

Greg Butler

The defending champion in the men's 200m breaststroke, he touched second in the prelims with a time of 2:12.77.

Christian Ryan

A British swimmer who set a new personal best of 2:12.97 in the men's 200m breaststroke prelims.

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What they’re saying

“I'm feeling really good and confident heading into the final. I'm just focused on putting together a solid race and hopefully dipping under the European standard.”

— Filip Nowacki

What’s next

The finals for the 200m breaststroke will take place tonight, where Nowacki will look to secure his first senior British title in the event.

The takeaway

The 2026 Aquatics GB Championships are shaping up to be a showcase for some of Britain's top swimming talent, with Nowacki, Macinnes, and Wood all putting in dominant performances in the prelims. These results will have major implications for the British national team's roster for upcoming major international competitions.