Liam Knight in action at the National Youth Championships.

BACKSTROKE ace Liam Knight produced one of the best swims of his career as he claimed two medals at the National Youth Championships.

Liam Knight

The 17-year-old from Wisbech followed European champion Joseph Patching home to take silver in the 200m backstroke with a personal best.

But it was Knight’s swim in the 100m backstroke, his supposedly weaker discipline, that was most impressive.

The teenager slashed a second off his personal best to claim a surprise bronze at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

He said: “After the 100m back my coach said it was the best race he has ever seen me do.

“He said my skills were top notch and I did exactly what he told me to do. It was almost perfect.

“I came back like a train and if there was another five metres I would have won. I’m working more on the 100m because I’m getting bigger and growing more muscle.

“I’m only two seconds off Liam Tancock (world champion) now so it’s all good!”

Knight smashed his personal best in almost every discipline he competed in over the weekend.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the 200m back,” he said. “I went out with Patching and then I struggled on the way back.

“I was trying to keep up with him rather than race my own race. I struggled to get out of the pool afterwards because my legs were so tired!

Knight plans to go on holiday before returning to training. He will return to regional competition in November.