By Hannah Blackwell
Wales has a new European swimming champion in the shape of Medi Harris.
The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist struck gold at the European Short Course Championships in Romania on Thursday night and there could be more silverware for Great Britain, and Welsh swimmers, this weekend.
Harris won the 200m backstroke to earn her first senior individual title.
Medi Harris and Matt Richards are both through to the finals of the European Short Course Swimming Championships!
Richards will compete in the 200m Freestyle final tomorrow 🏊♂️
Harris will also race tomorrow in the 100m Backstroke final 🏊♀️
What a championship they're having! 👏 pic.twitter.com/M6qlw0KRza
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 8, 2023
The 21-year-old from Porthmadog said: “I was really nervous as I haven’t done this event in a long time.
“It’s exciting to think what could be to come in the 200m backstroke for GB.
“I’ve recently moved to Loughborough with Dave Hemmings so I’m really thankful for him and that’s the main goal for this year is to build my confidence and he definitely has, so I’m very thankful.”
European Short Course Swimming Championships: Great Britain's Ben Proud & Medi Harris win titles https://t.co/AmD4PgSF86
— Sharron Davies MBE (@sharrond62) December 8, 2023
Wales’ 200m freestyle world champion Matt Richards races in his individual event over the weekend, having already struck relay gold in the 4x50m relay, where he helped set a new British record.
Harris returned to the Otopeni pool after winning the 200 backstroke for the 100 m backstroke.
She led the field in 57.15 ahead of French pair Beryl Gastaldello (57.20) and Mary-Ambre Moluh (57.71) with defending champion Kira Toussaint through in 57.83.
A successful first day of the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Romania 🥇
Wales' Matt Richards won gold, while Medi Harris claimed bronze, both as part of their teams in the 4x50m freestyle relay 🙌#BBCSwimming pic.twitter.com/GRzniH8v3j
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 5, 2023