Who to watchpublished at 20:43 BST 18 April
Poppy Maskill comes in as one of Britain’s most versatile S14 swimmers, consistently appearing across multiple strokes and medley events at these championships.
Given her heavy event schedule, expect a controlled swim in the Women's MC 100m Butterfly—likely very competitive on points but perhaps just shy of the absolute top score unless she produces a PB-level swim.
The Women’s MC Para 200m IM is arguably Maskill’s stronger event. She has a long history of competing in SM14 IM races across championships, and her versatility across strokes makes her particularly dangerous here.
Unlike the 100 fly, where she’s chasing a specialist, the IM plays directly to her strengths.
Expect her to be much closer to the top—potentially a winning or top-two points performance if she executes her breaststroke leg well, which is often the decisive split in these races.
Image source, Getty ImagesAbbie Wood is the established international performer. She won the 200 IM at the 2025 GB Championships in 2:08.85 and went on to finish 6th at the World Championships, showing genuine global competitiveness.
Her strength is her breaststroke leg, which often creates separation late in the race. If she’s in similar form, she’s the clear favourite in the Women's 200m IM and should be targeting another time around or under 2:09.
Image source, gettyFreya Colbert has proven internationally in the 400 IM (top-8 world level) and is improving rapidly across events, including winning the 200 free at the 2026 championships.
In the 200 IM she may lack Wood’s raw breaststroke power but can challenge through consistency and back-end strength. Expect her to push Wood hard in the Women's 200m IM—likely a 1–2 battle, with Wood favoured but Colbert dangerous if the race turns tactical.
Image source, Getty ImagesFilip Nowacki is one of the most exciting young British breaststrokers.
At the 2025 GB Championships he took silver in 2:11.09, smashing his PB and setting a British age-group record.
He has also already posted sub-1:00 in the 100m and is consistently medalling across breaststroke events domestically. His trajectory is clearly upward, but Britain as a whole is still rebuilding in this event internationally.
Tonight, expect Nowacki to be right at the front in the Men's 200m Breaststroke event—potentially challenging for gold if he continues his improvement curve.
Image source, Getty Images
