Layla’s medal success at European Championships

Youngster Layla Black won two bronze medals at her first ever swimming European Championships.
Swimmer Layla Black (St Wilfrid's Catholic school) aged 13, is the world's fastest swimmer in her age group for the 200m breaststroke, and is now due to swim at the National Championships.
p307c419Swimmer Layla Black (St Wilfrid's Catholic school) aged 13, is the world's fastest swimmer in her age group for the 200m breaststroke, and is now due to swim at the National Championships.
p307c419
Swimmer Layla Black (St Wilfrid's Catholic school) aged 13, is the world's fastest swimmer in her age group for the 200m breaststroke, and is now due to swim at the National Championships. p307c419

The St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School pupil came third in the 200m breaststroke and 4x100m medley relay at the event in Azerbaijan last month.

Layla, 14, was chosen to swim for Team GB after breaking the British record in the 100m breaststroke earlier this year.

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As well as her two medals, she also came fifth in the 50m breaststroke and fourth in the 100m breaststroke.

City of Leeds Swimmer Layla Black,  at the John Charles Centre for Sport.  19 May 2015.  Picture Bruce RollinsonCity of Leeds Swimmer Layla Black,  at the John Charles Centre for Sport.  19 May 2015.  Picture Bruce Rollinson
City of Leeds Swimmer Layla Black, at the John Charles Centre for Sport. 19 May 2015. Picture Bruce Rollinson

Layla, who is also preparing for her GCSE exams, said: “I did swimming lessons when I was younger and I passed all of my badges pretty quickly.

“Then my mum wanted me to carry on doing a sport so she signed me up with the City of Leeds Swimming Club and it went from there.”

Layla trains every day before and after school and is a member of the City of Leeds Swimming Club.

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She added: “It can be hard juggling school work around swimming but I really enjoy it.

Date:14th June 2015.Picture James Hardisty, (JH1008/91c) Swimmers from City Of Leeds Swimming Club are heading for the European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pictured (left to right) Layla Black, Georgia Coates, coach Rich Denigan, and Amelia Clynes setting of from John Charles Centre For Sport, Middleton Grove, Leeds.Date:14th June 2015.Picture James Hardisty, (JH1008/91c) Swimmers from City Of Leeds Swimming Club are heading for the European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pictured (left to right) Layla Black, Georgia Coates, coach Rich Denigan, and Amelia Clynes setting of from John Charles Centre For Sport, Middleton Grove, Leeds.
Date:14th June 2015.Picture James Hardisty, (JH1008/91c) Swimmers from City Of Leeds Swimming Club are heading for the European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pictured (left to right) Layla Black, Georgia Coates, coach Rich Denigan, and Amelia Clynes setting of from John Charles Centre For Sport, Middleton Grove, Leeds.

“Sometimes school allow me to miss my physical education classes and do my homework but I always try to manage my time well.

“The school have been really helpful and all of the teachers support me in what I do.

“My parents are massive help as well because they run me around all over the country to train and compete.”