MOLLY James said winning a medal in the World Masters Aquatics Championships was a ‘fantastic surprise.’

The 26-year-old former Middlewich High School student collected bronze in the 400m Individual Medley in her 25 to 29-years-old category in Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka City, Japan, earlier this month.

Molly, who is head of development at Winsford Swimming Club as well as being a swimming teacher and coach for both Brio Leisure and Sports Coaching Group, achieved qualifying times in order to join more than 13,000 other competitors in the first world masters event since the coronavirus pandemic.

She said: “I was only seeded fourth on paper for my 400 IM so touching for third was a fantastic surprise!

“I knew it was all to play for though, after previously making top 10 FINA world rankings.

“My aim was to finish top 10 in all three of my events so the bronze was a bonus.

“I managed to finish fifth in the 200m butterfly and eighth in 100m fly, for which I received my diploma for being within the top 10.”

Molly now swims for Trafford Metro as well as Winsford Swimming Club.

“Trafford Metro earned the top club in Great Britain title in June and joining them has helped enhance my swimming further, coached by Bob and Jo Bolton,” she said.

“I trained super hard for Japan, averaging around 16 hours a week of training between pool and land work on top of working full-time, including a 30-minute drive to Sale at 5am before work to train with my team and coach.”

She reflected on the whole experience of competing in the world championships held over 10 days in Fukuoka.

“Japan was a phenomenal experience, making lots of international friends and racing against the fastest masters in the world. I can’t wait to do more in the future,” said Molly.

Her world bronze caps her other swimming highlights, winning Bronze in the Europeans in Rome last summer and winning two golds at the British Masters Championships in June this year.