A YOUNG swimming sensation surged up the UK rankings thanks to a standout performance at a national competition.

Zach Speakman, a Year 10 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, claimed a haul of medals from the Swim Wales Easter Nationals, which puts him in a strong position as he looks to secure qualification to the British Summer Championships later this year.

The 15-year-old produced two outstanding efforts to come away with gold from both the 400 metre and 200m individual medley competitions, while he also gained a pair of silver medals in the 200m backstroke and 400m freestyle events.

He rounded off his individual achievement with a bronze in the 100m backstroke, and he also managed to pick up silver medals in the 4x200m and 4x100m freestyle relay competitions to ensure the sports scholar had a medal to show for every category he entered.

This exceptional performance now sees Zach ranked in the top 15 in five different categories, four of which see him in the top ten.

These are; 200m IM (6th), 200m Backstroke (8th), 400m IM (8th), 100m backstroke (10th) and 200m freestyle (15th).

To reach the British Championships you need to be ranked in the top 24 to qualify, which put Zach comfortably in the competition ahead of the May 31 deadline.

His place in the Welsh set-up also looks secure, and recently received an invitation to join the latest national squad day on May 5 after an impressive debut at the Golden Tour in France earlier this year.

Zach’s development is thanks in no small part to the effort he has been putting in with Rydal Penrhos’ dedicated Strength and Conditioning team, with his gym work keeping him highly motivated and reaping huge rewards in the pool.