A SWIMMER, originally from Winchester, won a silver medal in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

The English quartet of Lewis Burras, Tom Dean, Anna Hopkin and Freya Anderson finished second in the mixed 4x100m freestyle, 1.27 seconds behind Australia’s winning time of three minutes and 22.45 seconds.

Lewis Burras, from Winchester, swam the first leg of the silver medal performance in 48.28 seconds on day one of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The 22-year-old then passed onto teammate and double Olympic champion Tom Dean, but the Australians were in front when Anna Hopkin took to the water.

Birkenhead’s Freya Anderson kept battling in the final 100m but Australian swimmer Emma McKeon sustained the Australian lead to claim gold at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

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Birmingham 2022 is Burras’ first commonwealth appearance.

The local talent made a triumphant return to the pool in April, after having a hernia operation last year and being forced to watch the 2021 British Championships from home.

Upon his return, the Team England sprinter secured his debut spot for the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest in June, where he won bronze in the 4x100m medley relay.

Lewis currently holds the British record in the long course 100m freestyle ahead of teammate Tom Dean.

The British champion now swims in Dubai, training with Hamilton Aquatics.

Lewis Burras is the only athlete from Winchester competing in this year's Commonwealth Games.

The swimmer was part of Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club from June 2021 to April 2022.

The club "congratulate Lewis on his success at the Commonwealth Games and are proud to have been part of his swimming journey."

Other local competitors include Jade Atkins from Portsmouth and Joy Haizelden from Southampton both representing England in wheelchair basketball.

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