Jessica full of joy after Italian glory

CALL ME NUMBER ONE: Jessica Fullalove stands on the winner’s podium.

SWIMMING: OLDHAM star Jessica Fullalove was in great form at the 17th International Swim meeting in Italy.

The 100m backstroke event attracted a long list of big names from the world of swimming, including home favourite Elemo Gemo, German short-course champion Doris Eichorn and Jenny Mensing, the long-track ace, who was a European champion in 2012.
Seventeen-year-old Fullalove put in a fantastic performance as she was the only swimmer to go under a minute, finishing ahead of a strong field to win the gold medal in 59.26 seconds.

It was a superb effort from the City of Manchester swimmer, having competed while in the middle of a tough training schedule ahead of the Commonwealth Games next year.

Fullalove is on course for the Games, having been placed on Team England’s list of targeted athletes. Trials will take place early next year.

Fellow Oldham star Jessica Lloyd, meanwhile, was really up against it in Italy as she battled it out in the 100m freestyle.

Facing Olympic finalists, the 18-year-old finished third in the race, then fifth in the 50m freestyle event.

Fullalove has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Flanders Cup in Antwerp at the turn of the New Year, shortly after her return from a two-week intense training camp in San Diego, California.

She recently helped Lancashire become the county champions for the 12th consecutive year.