Making waves: Finlay’s the fastest in the UK for 200m backstroke

Congratulations to Finlay Pope from Upper Sixth, who took home a bronze medal at the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London.

His achievement – hitting the wall in the Men’s 200m Backstroke Junior Final in a PB of 2:02.25 – makes him the fastest 18-year-old in the UK in this event, and the 15^th fastest in the UK overall.

The GB Championships were the last chance for swimmers to make their case to be on the plane for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

While Fin missed the mark this time, he has his sights firmly set on continuing to improve and trying again next year.

Fin has come a long way from his first taste of swimming in year 4 at primary school. As a Holy Cross Sports Scholar, he trains eight times a week at Stockport Metro Swimming Club – for two hours at a time – plus strength work in the gym on top, all alongside studying for his A Levels in PE, Sociology and Psychology.

He plans to stay local when it comes to University so he can continue swimming in Stockport alongside his studies.

He said: “It’s a big commitment – I think being good at a sport means you enjoy it even more. I don’t take inspiration from any famous swimmers because you always want to try and be even better than them!” 

Click here to watch Fin’s race – from 47:27