WIX swimmer Laura Stephens has scooped a superb silver at the Commonwealth Games.
The 23-year-old former Colchester Swimming Club member finished second behind winner Lizzy Dekkers in the Women's 200 metres butterfly final tonight, in Birmingham.
She said: "I just went out there and enjoyed it and gave it all I had down that last 50 because that hurt!
"The crowd was incredible, I could hear them all the way so that was a really big boost to me, I am super happy to come away with the silver medal.
"I have had so many ups and downs and it feels like more downs than ups but to come away with an individual medal - I am over the moon."
HUGE! A fabulous swim in front of a home crowd earns @laurakjs99 a SILVER MEDAL 👏🥈#BringitHome pic.twitter.com/y0Yrz2PDwC
— Team England (@TeamEngland) August 2, 2022
Stephens spent many years as a youngster at Colchester Swimming Club.
The former Colchester County High School for Girls pupil has since shone on the international stage and her medal at the Commonwealth Games represents one of the highlights of her sporting career, so far.
Speaking on BBC TV, double Olympic gold-medal winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington said: "Laura Stephens has had experience of the big events and now she is just getting better and better and getting on the podium.
"To get a medal here in front of her home crowd must be so special."
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