JamesHickman.com - The Official James Hickman Website

In home waters, Steve Parry of Stockport Metro looked to have the Men’s 100m Butterfly gold in his possession but a late flurry by James saw both swimmer’s tie for first place in 52.52. Matt Bowe of Bath was third in 52.90.

However, Parry took the honours in a close contest in the men’s 200m butterfly touching first ahead of the four-time world short course champion. Parry clocked 1.53.19sec, with Hickman just behind in 1.53.61sec. Matthew Edwards picked up the bronze in 1.56.55sec.

However, Hickman who now swims for City of Manchester Acquatics took the gold in the Men’s 100m Individual Medley when he built up an impressive lead over the first three legs to hold on to victory in 54.91. Adrian Turner of Stockport was second in 55.66 and Edmond was third in 55.67.

There was further good news for James in the 50m Butterfly, when he predictably finished second behind Mark Foster of Bath University. Foster who has pretty much made the 50m event his own over the years, hung on to win in 23.57 finishing just ahead of Hickman who clocked a new personal best in 23.69 with David Jones of Llanelli in third place in 25.01

James Hickman brought his auspicious career with the City of Leeds to an end with two National Championship titles in Manchester on Sunday, after making the decision to return to his home city to begin his preparations for next years Olympic Games.

The four-time World Short Course Champion was the eventual winner in the men’s 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley after two fiercely contested races on the final day of the ASA National Championships, taking his tally to three over the weekend. He will return to the Aquatics Centre tomorrow as a City of Manchester swimmer, with his sights firmly set on success in Athens next year.

“It’s just one year to go now and I’m back in Manchester for the final push to the Olympics,” Hickman said. “I’ve got new goals now and it’s good to get settled back here in Manchester. This is where it all started for me and I think this will be a good move. The Leeds club will always have a place in my heart. I’ve had all my best achievements as a Leeds swimmer, with World records and numerous World and European titles, so I’m really sad to be leaving but I’m delighted that I could finish on a high.”

Hickman battled with Nova’s Nathan Oxford for the 100m backstroke title, finishing in 57.11sec, and notched up his second victory of the day in the 200m medley event, clocking 2.05.48sec after a close race with the 400m champion Matthew Ferrarelli of Nova and Portsmouth’s Christopher Thompson.

Hickman Retires from 200m Butterfly and moves back to Manchester - A personal message from James - June 2003

"Following my failure to qualify for the World Championships in Barcelona, I have taken the decision to retire from competition in the 200m Butterfly event and focus my attention on the 100m Butterfly event instead.

This is a decision that I have been thinking about since the Commonwealth Games in Manchester last year and with the Olympic Games in Athens just 12 months away, I feel this is the right time to devote my attention to one event rather than "sitting on the fence" which may have afftected my performance in both events in recent months.

In my opinion, the 200m event in Britain is in great shape and Stephen Parry represents a realistic medal prospect and I wish him well. It won't be the same for me without those great battles we have had over the years !!

Naturally, I was disappointed, as Britain's fastest 100m Butterfly swimmer, that I did have not the opportunity to compete at the World Championships but I still believe that the 100m event represents the best route forward for me at this stage in my career and I am confident that I can be a genuine contender over this distance in Athens.

It is still my intention, however, to compete at the 200m Butterfly in short course competition in which I have won four consecutive World titles and it would be very nice to make it five next year, if given that opportunity.

I have also taken the decision, following the retirement of my coach, Terry Denison, to return to Manchester where I will train for the Olympics next year and I will, therefore, no longer be swimming for City of Leeds. I have had five great years in Leeds and I have made lots of friends who have been very supportive. I am also indebted to Terry for everything he has done for me. It was a real priviledge to work with him.

Having said that, I am really looking forward to getting back to Manchester where I will be training at the excellent facilities offered by the Aquatics Centre and it will be nice to be near my family for a change. "

The Scottish National Championships was the final opportunity for James to qualify for next month's World Championships (50m) in Barcelona. Having missed out on the Championships two years ago in Japan, James was anxious to make the GB team selection. After a poor British Championships in March, the 27 year old Mancunian put himself through intensive altitude training in Arizona in May in a bid to make the qualifying time. However, there was further disappointment to come in Glasgow. Despite winning the 100m Butterfly to re-assert his position as the number one British swimmer over the distance his time of 53.61 secs was outside the required time of 52.82 to qualify. Todd Cooper and Stephen Parry were second and third with times of 53.76 and 55.06 respectively.

Failure to qualify in the 100m meant it that was all down to the 200m Butterfly, James' preferred event. His arch-rival, Stephen Parry had already assured himself of qualification when he cruised to an easy victory at the British Championships in March. Again in Glasgow, Parry proved, at least on current form, that there is a big margin between him and the best of the rest in the 200m event as he swam to victory in 1:57.09 once again comfortably inside the qualification time. James was second in 1:58.87 over a second outside the qualifying time of 1:57.70 but a substantial improvement over his performance in Sheffield. Stirling's Mark Lewis was third in 2:03.26

"I'm devastated", James said afterwards. "I gave this one everything. I won't be going to the World's but now I have got to focus my attention on the Olympics in Athens next year."

The disappointment shows as James realises he has failed to qualify for the World Championships.

© SWPIX.COM

On Monday 31st March, Terry Denison, my coach for the last five years retired. While it's sad to see him go after a long and distinguished career he truly deserves the rest, especially from the early morning starts. (Some might say he looks like he needs it but not me.) Terry coached Adrian Moorhouse to an Olympic gold medal in 1988 and this was truly my inspiration to become an international swimmer. He is one of the people I have tried to emulate. At the age of 12, little did I know that I would be working with Terry later on in my career. I actually started to train with Terry in 1998 and since then he has helped guide me to many international titles. All in all I've won over 30 international senior medals with Terry and broke two world short course records. But my successes have been just a drop in the ocean of successes Terry has had with many swimmers over his 30 years of coaching. The list is too long to go through here but click here if you want to read more about Terry's many achievements. The City of Leeds will certainly be different without him and so will British Swimming; there will be quite a void to fill! Over the time he coached me he always pushed me to break my limits and go past perceived boundaries. There was nothing that happened in the world of swimming without Terry knowing. I hope he has an enjoyable retirement and that he, and Mona (his wife), get to do all those things you put off because of the dedication required to succeeding with so many swimmers. Thanks for everything Terry and good luck !

Defeat by more than three seconds at the hands (and feet) of his arch rival, Stephen Parry, in the 200m Butterfly rounded off a miserable week for James at the British Championships (50m) which were also doubling as the trials for this year's World Championships in Barcelona. Parry looked very strong indeed winning the event in 1:56.35 while our own out-of-sorts Dolphin Boy failed to break magic two minute barrier, finishing in 2:00.04 comfortably ahead of Todd Cooper in third. The event still proved that Hickman and Parry are still Britain's top two Butterfliers over the 200m distance but Hickman will be disappointed with his performance. Earlier in the week, Todd Cooper pulled-off a surprise victory in the final of the 100m Butterfly which meant that James went home without any British Titles in his preferred Butterfly events and more importantly hasn't secured qualification for the World Championships team, although there are further events in which to qualify. "I'm really disappointed with my swims here this week. I can't really explain it, I just feel flat at the moment. There's no 'buzz', no 'spark'. The fire really needs to be burning if you want to swim well", he told JamesHickman.com afterwards. "But I'll bounce back. I've been there before and I know how to deal with it now. There's been a lot going on recently and I've just got to find my focus again", he added. James next opportunity to qualify for the World Championships comes in Glasgow in June.

There's a fair bit happening at the moment. My mum and sister are unwell. City have had a major boardroom upheaval. I'm starting to manage ten of Britains best swimmers. Trials for the world championships start next week in Sheffield and I'm swimming in them! I'm going to need to focus on what is important. Answers on a postcard.

I've just read John McEnroe's autobiography and one of the things it has helped re-in force for me is that everybody has their problems to deal with. The grass may look greener but it isn't any different really, just in a different field. The trick is balancing them well enough.

So back to the job of swimming, the job I'm best at and have trained hard at for 20 years. This year trials are back to Sheffield, and a welcome return after a two-year absence. The last time we swam there was the Sydney Olympic trials in 2000. I think it's the best pool in the country, well the fastest anyway.

I'm torn between Manchester and Sheffield for the best. The extra lanes in the Sheffield pool mean that turbulence from wash has more water to dissipate into and make for calmer water to race in.

Qualification for the World Championships, which are in Barcelona in July, is tough. The hard-hitting Australian, Bill Sweetenham is our national performance director has set fast, difficult time to achieve selection for the team. I'm all in favour of lifting the standard to as high a level as possible, although this did mean that Steven Parry and I missed out on the 2001 world championship team that went to Japan. You will be able to see the action in television on the final day, a week on Sunday. Steve and I will be going head to head for the ten zillionth time in the 200m butterfly final. Unfortunately you will not be able to see the team selected. The original date for the trials was changed for television, pretty important but due to a class with the American national college competition that some of our best swimmers will be in, there will now be another selection point at an non-televised event in Glasgow in June. It's a shame, as I like the one chance selection and announcement of the team atone competition, as it's more exciting for the swimmers and the public too.

Swimming is moving swiftly with the times with results and information is up at the British swimming website (www.britishswimming.org) very quickly but even better than that, for those that prefer, for the first time you can now even get up the second text messages! It's a bit quicker than answers on a postcard anyway.

So he's no Steve McQueen but our very own World Short Course 200m Butterfly Champion, James Hickman, was one of seven special guests who came out to support the valuable work of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at the prestigious Carlton Tower Hotel in London's Knightsbridge on 25th February. The 27 yr old Mancunian who swims for City of Leeds was invited to attend the "Magnificent Seven" charity dinner, held in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex, along with other high-achievers from both the sporting and non-sporting arenas to endorse the work of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and to help raise funds for it's valuable work with young people.

James meets HRH The Countess of Wessex

Photo by kind permission of Steven Parry Donald

Other guests included 23 yr old Andrew Cooney who earlier this year became the youngest person ever to walk to the South Pole, Yachtswoman Tracy Edwards, Major Phil Ashby who daringly escaped from captivity in Sierra Leone in 2000 and ex-England rugby star, Martin Bayfield.

James and the other special guests were seated at the Top Table and had dinner with HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex. After dinner, James spoke to the audience about the important work of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award thanking those attending the dinner for supporting it so generously and said that he was "immensely proud to be in the company of such extraordinary people". James kindly donated one of his gold medals from the recent FINA World Cup to be auctioned at the event. If you would like to know more about the work of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award please visit www.theaward.org

James recenty made an appearance at the "Reddish Blues" a Manchester City Supporters group. As everyone knows James is passionate about City !! To see some pictures from the evening just click on the link above.

"In January I was invited to do some swim demonstrations at Lincoln Vulcans Swimming Club, it was lots of fun and I hope the swimmers picked up lots of tips to help them be better swimmers. I'll be watching to see them move up in the national rankings now! You can see some pictures of my visit below. Thanks to everyone at Lincoln Vulcans for making me so welcome."

After the Christmas and New Year break the action resumed in the European Zone of the FINA World Cup, with three meets in three cities in just over a week. A world class field was assembled which included Olympic Champions, Ian Thorpe (AUS), Pieter vanden Hoogenband (NED) and Tom Malchow (USA) as well as a host of other leading names. At the end of the week the $200,000 in prize money would be awarded for the top three overall places in the mens and womens events.

In Paris, James comfortably beat Olympic Champion, Tom Malchow (USA) in the 200m Butterfly taking victory in 1.53.03 to Malchow's 1.54.0. To that he added gold in the 200 IM coming from behind with a superb swim in the freestyle leg to beat New Zealander, Dean Kent by 0.02 in a time of 1.57.32 and, in a very closely contested 100m Butterfly, finished second in 51.85 behind Igor Martchenko (RUS) who took gold in 51.56

From Paris it was on to Stockholm in Sweden where James was keen to improve his overall World Cup standing so that he had a chance of claiming a share of that $200,000 prize money. Again, in the 200m Butterfly he claimed gold, once more beating Malchow. This time the young Mancunian had to it the hard way, swimming from lane 2, and both men did clock slower times than in Paris a few days before with Hickman touching in 1.53.66 to the American's 1.54.22. In the 100m Butterfly, Igor Martchenko repeated his victory taking gold in 51.17 while James had to be content with silver in 51.86 (identical to his time in Paris). Ian Thorpe made a rare appearance in the 200m IM, "just for fun", going head-to-head with James. Unfortunately, for our man, the show-down with Thorpe came only 15 minutes after the final of the 100m Butterfly but despite that he still had the lead over Thorpe at the 100m stage. However, it was the Australian maestro who eased home comfortably in the end, taking victory in 1.56.0 with James claiming silver in 1.57.64.

Then it was back to central Europe for the last of the European meets, and indeed the last round of this season's World Cup, in Berlin. Hickman clocked-up yet another win in the 200m Butterfly with this third victory in a week over the Olympic Champion, Tom Malchow of the USA in a time of 1.53.33 beating the American by well over a second. However, in the 100m Butterfly it was James' fate to suffer a hat-trick of defeats at the arms (and legs !!) of Igor Martchenko of Russia who took gold in 51.38 to Hickman's 51.71 (his best 100m Butterfly of the week). Pavel Lagoun of Bulgaria was third in 52.07. In the 200m IM, James again beat Dean Kent of New Zealand to take gold in a new personal best time of 1.56.73 secs.

Despite a number of very strong performances from James during the various World Cup events in New York, Shanghai and Europe his best swim was in the 200m Butterfly in Paris which he won in a time of 1.53.03 which scored 994 ranking points. Unfortunately, this was only enough to earn him sixth place overall in the final World Cup standings and he did not receive a share of the $200,000 prize money.

So, after New York it was on to Shanghai in China for the next round of the FINA World Cup (25m). With James in second place overall with 992 points after the first two rounds he was hoping to put in a solid performance and improve his standing to give himself a shot at picking up the $50,000 prize money which goes to the overall winner of the World Cup after all the rounds have been completed in January.

Some changes to the British Team for the Shanghai rounds saw James joined by his friend and rival, Stephen Parry, for the 200m Butterfly. After the morning heats it was Parry who was the fastest qualifier for the final in a relatively pedestrian 1:58.12, narrowly out-qualifying James who swam 1:58.54 and Ukraine's Denys Sylant'yev who was third-fastest in 1:58.78

In the evening's final, however, the roles were reversed and Hickman added victory in Shanghai to his victory the previous week-end in New York, beating Parry by just over 0.5 secs to win in a time of 1:53.72 and a score of 985 points. An out-of-form Sylant'yev was third in 1:57.10.

That wasn't the only medal for James on Day 1. He also managed to pick-up a rare bronze in the 50m Butterfly (not his strongest event) in what was a very competitive race finishing third in 24.01 just behind Raphael De Thuin (Brazil) who took the gold in 23.93 and the Russian swimmer Igor Marchenko who took silver in 23.97. That was less than one-tenth of a second separating the first three places !!

On to day two of the meet and James picked up another two Gold's and another pile of cash !!! In the 100m Butterfly, James touched first in 52.20 beating Igor Marchenko from Russia (52.46) and Kaio Almeida from Brasil (53.15). However, he couldn't pick up his medal as he was swimming in the next race and was in the warm-up pool, so he sent Steve Parry instead, which must have really confused the photographers !!!

In the 200m IM, James cruised to a comfortable victory over the two Chineses swimmers, Wu Peng who took silver in 2:01.16 and Li Ziqiang who took bronze in 2:01.67

So after three rounds of the World Cup, James is in third place overall with 992 points, behind Pieter Van Den Hoogenband (NED) who leads with 997 points and Jason Lezak (USA) in second place with 993 points. Thomas Rupprath (GER) also has 992 points. James won't be taking part in this weeks World Cup event in Melbourne as he has to prepare for the European Championships (25m) which take place in Berlin from to 12th to 15th December although he will be taking part in all three of the European rounds of the FINA World Cup in Paris, Stockholm and Berlin in January.

"So to the 100m butterfly and 200 IM last night and I don't thing there is a quicker way of losing money!! Now I know how they feel on "The Chair" with John McEnroe !! The 100 fly came first and another battle with Mr Rupprath ensued. I had a great swim right up until the finish but Thomas won in 51.17 and I was second in 51.27 - that cost me $500 or $50 per hundredth. Ouch!!!

So it was on to the 200IM and you think I'd have learned my lesson.....No !! Back in "lucky" lane 2 and another battle with Mr Phelps this time. Giving it large on the butterfly and backstroke I commanded a lead as usual but the breaststroke gave Michael the opportunity to catch up and in a mammoth effort down the last length it finished 1.57.12 and 1.57.17. I was second again !!

James visits the sights of NYC (above)

Another $500 down the drain !! That's another 100 dollars per 100th! I think both he and Rupprath wanted revenge for the 200 fly the day before! Well they both really hit me where it hurts.....

If it hadn't been so close I would have been ecstatic about my times, especially the 100 butterfly which is only 0.2 outside my best (my best was a world record 51.1 back in 1998) and in New York I wasn't shaved or tapered so I'm really pleased.

It's on to Shanghai in China next week-end after a couple of days in the "Big Apple". It's my first time here so I think the plastic is in for a rough ride!"

"After a couple of turbulent days involving an aching shoulder and a 24 hour stomach bug, I managed to come good in the final of the 200 Butterfly tonight in New York. If I'd had to swim yesterday I'm not sure I'd have made the final after being physically ill in the morning. I got some rest and started to feel a lot better this morning. After a hard heat swim I wasn't sure how the final was going to go. In the 200m butterfly heats I went 1.57.66 and was seeded second fastest. Unfortunately, I went 24.3 in the 50m butterfly heats and was ninth so no final there.

In the 200, I knew that it was going to be a tough final with Thomas Rupprath (GER) and Michael Phelps (USA) the short and long course world record holders in the race. Well, in the end I just got stuck into the race and it was close between myself and Thomas all the way, and on the last turn I worked my underwater kick and came good to win in a time 1.53.18. Michael was third. With being ill yesterday (Thurs) I didn't clip or shave but the the time was still is as fast as the time I did at the World Championships in Moscow earlier this year ! There's life in me yet!"

James' swim was best in the mens events on day 1 with a score of 992 ranking points.

James, the four times World Champion (25m), received a Royal call up this week, when he was invited to St James' Palace to present at the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards.

The 200m Butterfly Champion, who swims for City of Leeds, was honoured to be invited to make presentations of Gold Awards on behalf of the HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who had recently earned the Gold Award through their achievements. Indeed, James was in very high-profile company on the day not only meeting the Duke but presenting awards alongside England Coach, Sven Goran Ericson and legendary actor John Hurt.

"A couple of months back, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme asked if I would attend St. James' Palace to present Gold Awards to some young people on behalf of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Of course, I was honoured and immediately said "yes". Once my mum heard I was going she asked if I might be able to take a guest and, while I told her I didn't think it was possible, I made some enquiries and arranged an invitation for her. I waited for my mum's birthday at the end of October and then told her of her invitation. She was thrilled !! Then my grandma, was at my mum's birthday, asked if there was a spectator gallery that she could watch from too and after another phone call to the Palace both my mum and grandma were permitted to watch me present the awards.

So, on Tuesday 12th November, the day came and I was in London all day presenting Duke of Edinburgh Awards. St James's Palace is a working Palace and a fantastic place. We were given a quick tour around some very grandiose rooms which house some very famous paintings depicting British history such as the paintings of Henry VIII and Nelson, usually only shown in books.

The awards themselves were great. I did two sessions; one in the morning and another in the afternoon. The break gave us an opportunity to have lunch at the Ritz. The morning presentations went well, although I was a bit nervous giving my speech but by the afternoon I was a lot more confident and it went very well. I was presenting in the Throne Room in the afternoon and that is where THE throne is - it was very cool to see !!

Quite a lot of people receive Duke of Edinburgh awards so five rooms are used for the presentations. Obviously, The Duke can't be in all the rooms at the same time so guest presenters are invited to actually present the awards on his behalf. His Royal Highness then visits each room and meets everyone. Some of the other presenters were Phillip Schofield, Sven Goran Errikson and legendary actor John Hurt. It was great to be able to tell Sven I was a Manchester city fan after last week-end where they beat Manchester United 3-1!

It was a once in a lifetime experience for my Mum, Grandma and I. With Christmas just around the corner I'm hoping for some extra nice presents for being an extra nice grandson and son!"

To learn more about The Duke of Edinburgh's Award please visit www.theaward.org

Top British swimmer, Sarah Price recently took part in BBC's top sports quiz, "Question of Sport", joining jockey, Frankie Dettori and cricketer, Phil Tufnell. When it came to the Mystery Guest round, Sarah's team were shown footage of a Rocky-style character training for a big fight, jogging through town and working out in the gym. But who could it be....?

Fortunately for Sarah, she worked out that it was none other than our own James Hickman, although we are not sure what bit of James she actually recognised !!!!