AIS swimmer Belinda Hocking produced the swim of the night in the women’s 200m backstroke to go within 0.34 of Meagen Nay’s Australian record when she stopped the clock at 2:07.75 at the 2011 NSW State Championships, in Sydney.

Hocking’s time, which would have seen her win gold at the 2010 Pan Pacs and silver at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, was more than enough to overcome a determined Nay (2:08.84), with cross Tasman rival Mel Ingram grabbing bronze in 2:11.77.

“I can’t believe I just did that. Honestly that is a very, very big shock,” said Hocking. 

“I only got back from altitude training on Wednesday, so to do that off the back of some very hard training is just amazing.” 

Women’s 100m Freestyle

After two laps of the SOPAC pool nothing could split the AIS pairing of Angie Bainbridge and Merindah Dingjan in the 100m freestyle, with the girls dead-heating for gold in the 55.37, as Victorian26-year-old Kelly Stubbins rounded out the top three in 55.61.

Men’s 50m Backstroke

National record holder in this event Ashley Delaney (AIS) showcased his supreme under water skills to come up with a lead that he would not surrender in the men’s 50m backstroke, winning in 25.44 from Commonwealth Games team mates Daniel Arnamnart (25.71) and Hayden Stoeckel (25.89).