Published: 19 July, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

ONE of London’s top swimming clubs can boast two new international champions within their ranks following an overseas gold rush at the weekend.

Camden Swiss Cottage swimmers Tamir Gonen-Cohen and Bogac Ayhan both dominated the pool in their respective Long Course National Championships.

Tamir was crowned triple National Age Group Champion in Israel after winning gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly. The talented 15-year-old also added silver in the 200m individual medley.

Team-mate Bogac continued the success as he won National gold in the Turkish Championships as part of the men’s open 4x100m medley relay team. Swimming for his Turkish club, Galatasaray, the 18-year-old also took an individual silver in the men’s open 100m butterfly.

Meanwhile it also proved a golden weekend for Camden Swiss Cottage’s masters squad as they returned home from the Barnet Distance Meet with a staggering 24 gold medals. 

The top performer was 60-year-old grandmother Karen Bellas who swam in all 12 individual events, winning 10 gold medals and two silvers. 

Andrew Young was the outstanding male swimmer securing gold medals in the 100m breaststroke, the 200m and 400m individual medley and the 400m freestyle.

Anna Fenton and Helen Close both won three golds apiece in their respective freestyle events, while Philip Albright and Haukur Heimisson also topped the podium in their respective 200m individual medley and 800m freestyle events.

The super squad also won the 4x100m and 4x200m mixed freestyle relays.

There was also a special mention for Briony Dow, who swam the 800m in just over 14 minutes in her first ever competitive event.