Swimming: Hickman and Sheppard pick up golds

James Hickman and Alison Sheppard won golds for Great Britain here yesterday in the same events they dominated while in New York last week as part of FINA's World Cup tour.

Hickman, of Leeds, took the 200 metres men's butterfly title again from team-mate Steve Parry of Manchester, a close second in silver, while Sheppard, originally from Glasgow and now living in Canada, dominated the 50m women's freestyle event once more to take gold.

Hickman later added a bronze, in the 50m butterfly. The British squad, however, had much more to celebrate as a host of juniors, many at their first full international meet, showed the depth of talent the country possesses.

The young contingent delivered a medal thanks to Stephanie Proud of Chester-le-Street, two British junior records and a host of personal best times.

The Argentinian Jose Meolans won the 100 metres freestyle to take his third title of the season. Meolans beat the German Stefan Herbst by only 0.35 seconds, clocking 48.37 seconds.

The event was dominated by Chinese swimmers, who won six of eight events in the women's races. Some of the world's top swimmers did not compete, preferring instead to prepare for the European Short-course Championships scheduled for 12-15 December in Germany.

Qi Hui broke a World Cup record in the 200 individual medley. The 17-year-old romped to victory in 2:08.79, a minute short of the 1993 world record clocked by American Alison Wagner. The previous World Cup record holder in the 200 individual medley, the double Olympic and champion Yana Klochkova of Ukraine, finished third in 2:10.91. China's Zhang Tianyi was second in 2:09.85.