Amalie Smith was in a state of disbelief after landing another Commonwealth Games medal.
The Tonbridge starlet, who took 400m IM silver on Monday, landed bronze in the women’s 200m IM, finishing in 2:09.61 to trail only South Africa’s Aimee Canny and Australia’s Jenna Forrester, who claimed gold.
“I'm really tired but I'm so, so happy. Coming into this event, especially after last night, I wasn't expecting anything, so didn’t put any on pressure on myself to come away with a medal. I'm so happy.
“Everyone there in the race is such an incredible swimmer. I could see both of them (Jenna Forrester and Aimee Canny) next to us all the way, so it's so great to have such good competition to race.
"It's quite hard to believe I'm here at 16. If you'd said to me last year I'd come away from the Commonwealth Games with two medals around my neck, I wouldn't have believed it. I still can't quite believe it to be honest.”
Smith’s was one of three bronze medals won by English swimmers on another successful night in the pool.
Leamington Spa’s Lauren Cox finished third in the women’s 50m backstroke and said: “I’m so proud to see all my hard work over the last four years come to that moment and I’m just glad to be on the right side of the podium.
“It’s really amazing. It’ll sink in a bit more after my last race tomorrow.”
Imogen Clark, 27, ensured a happy end to an injury-laden four years with bronze in the women’s 50m breaststroke.
Clark, who won silver in the same event in Birmingham, shared bronze this time with Canada’s Sophie Angus after both clocked 30.86, with South Africa’s Lara van Niekerk claiming top spot.
“I genuinely had no expectations coming here,” she said. “It has been a rough four years so to come away with a medal means the world to me.
“Standing on that podium is a moment you'll cherish for the rest of your life, and to do it at two Commonwealth Games in a row is really special. I'm just so chuffed.”
Rebecca Redfern, meanwhile, may not have medalled but simply making the starting blocks was a remarkable achievement in itself.
Redfern gave birth just four months ago and hopes her presence in Glasgow can show other new mums what is possible.
“The last four months have been crazy,” she said. “I actually qualified last year, before I found out I was pregnant.
“Then I had this crazy idea that maybe I could come back, and a lot of people thought, ‘That's a bit crazy – it's only been four months.’
“But I knew what my body was capable of, so I'm really proud of myself for pushing it. It's been a whirlwind, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
“To be here, to make the final, and to show my kids that you don't have to give up on your dreams, I think that's really special and they’re in the crowd so that makes it all even more special.”
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