Richard Salt has become a national champion.

But the 17-year-old from West Chiltington revealed how he overcame injury fears to secure the ASA under-18s 100m freestyle crown in a personal best 53.39sec in Sheffield.

The Shiverer club member said: "I was so worried. I'd damaged a tendon in my shoulder and it concerned me.

"But my coach Ian Newell told me not to worry and it would be okay. He was right and the winning feeling is the best. It's such a buzz.

"Winning a gold medal completely blew me away on the day."

He received his medal in front of a packed crowd which included several swimmers bound for the Sydney Games. who were competing in the Olympic trials held in conjunction with the national event.

"I loved all the razamataz, stepping onto the podium and having a medal put around my neck.

"Up until that moment my high point was competing for Britain in the Youth Olympics.

"I've just missed out in the past, but this time everything went right. Despite the injury worry, I had prepared as well as I could have done.

"Now I hope to make the British team for the Three Nations junior meet next year."

His friend Alex Brown, from the Crawley club, won a silver medal in the 100m butterfly in a personal best 57.5sec and a bronze in the100m freestyle (53.7sec) behind Salt.

The 17-year-old Sackville pupil from East Grinstead has enjoyed watching re-runs of his silver medal effort.

He said: "It was televised and was recorded for me. That was a big surprise and I've enjoyed watching the race.

"I was pleased with my form because I improved my personal bests through the heats, semi-finals and final.

"It was a big atmosphere. I was racing alongside James Hickman, who is going to Sydney.

"The Olympic trials being mixed in with the nationals certainly spurred me on.

"I've improved every year but it is has only been in the last year that I have really felt I could make the Olympics one day.

"Hopefully Richard and I can make it for 2004.

"We're not rivals. Sometimes he beats me and sometimes I beat him, but we're always mates.

Meanwhile, Flimwell's Lisa Chapman helped Britain win the silver medal in the 4x100m medley relay at the European Junior Championships in Dunkirk, France.

The Hastings Seagull swam the freestyle and anchor leg.

The Hastings Sixth Form College student was also fourth in the 50m butterfly (28.32sec) and 100m freestyle (57.72sec).

Lisa finished tenth in the 50m freestyle.

Fifteen-year-old Lindsey Waller (Hailsham) was tenth in the 200m butterfly.

There were 40 countries competing.