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A key figure for the Team GB swimming squad, Ben Proud will feature at the Tokyo Olympics this summer
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Along with fellow swimming star Adam Peaty, Proud is one of Team GB’s best chances of a medal in the pool at Tokyo 2020
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Ben won a silver medal in the 50m freestyle at the 2021 World Championship in Budapest
Holding several British records, Ben Proud is one of Team GB’s top swimmers and he will be quietly confident of claiming an Olympic medal this summer.
The London-born swimmer is in the prime of his life, winning the 50m freestyle silver medal in May ahead of what could be a successful trip to Tokyo 2020.
Ben races for Energy Standard in the International Swimming League but the Team GB star will be fully focused on representing Britain on the biggest stage of all.
Sports betting may have Proud as an outsider for Olympic gold but the 26-year-old has the talent to defy the odds when he enters the Tokyo pool.
Here, we look at Ben Proud statistics, including best times, height and record in Olympics trials. So here’s everything you need to know about Team GB swimming star Ben Proud…
Ben Proud Swimmer
The 2017 world champion in the 50-metre butterfly, Ben Proud developed his passion for swimming while growing up in Malaysia.
During his time at school, Ben was trained by professional Malaysian swimmer Francis Kiu before opting to return to England when he was 16 years old.
Proud has gone from strength to strength since bursting onto the swimming scene, winning medals in some of the biggest swimming competitions – including gold at the 2017 World Aquatics Championship.
Ben Proud Height
Standing at 6 foot 3 inches tall, Ben Proud has the physique you’d expect from a top class swimmer.
While he isn’t the tallest in the pool, Ben is exceptionally quick through the water, with his streamlined frame giving him an edge over his peers.
While Ben Proud height figures won’t impact Olympics betting tips today, he recorded the fifth fastest time in the world this year in May 2021 and his body is in tiptop condition.
Ben Proud Olympic Trials
Ben Proud swam the second quickest splash and dash in 2021 during an Olympic trial at the London Aquatics Centre back in April – which puts him in contention for Tokyo 2020 gold.
Notching a lifetime best in the 100m freestyle, Proud has since been selected for the Team GB swimming squad for the Olympic Games and he has a real chance of coming home with a medal.
Speaking afterwards, Ben revealed: “For the Olympics this year, I really want to hone in on that 50. If I’m going to do it then I have to be able to get up and go when needed.
“Going to the last Olympics, it was my first one and it was all quite new so I’ve had a host of experience since then and I’m hoping to do the best I can.”
Ben Proud Diet
To be the best swimmer in the world, you need to be in peak physical condition and Ben Proud takes his diet very seriously indeed.
Speaking to Men’s Health in 2018, Ben said: “With swimming being such a high demanding sport in terms of constant energy expenditure, my aim has always been to get on foods naturally high in energy.
Here is Ben’s typical diet plan when he is training to prepare for a swimming competition:
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Before (and during) first training session – a banana.
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Breakfast – 2 or 3 eggs with a bagel, salmon and avocado OR granola with Greek yoghurt and blueberries.
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Light lunch – a chicken wrap with spinach and avocado.
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Before and after second training session – Another bowl of granola OR a bagel with peanut butter, bananas and honey.
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Dinner – a bowl of penne pasta with chicken, beef or salmon.
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Before bed – a glass of milk.
Ben Proud Best Times
The 26-year-old has five British records on his resume; the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly in the long course and 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly in the short course.
Ben Proud is a household name amongst British swimming fans and he has been a dominant figure in the pool since bursting onto the scene at just 19 years old.
While he hasn’t been able to eclipse any of his British record times since 2018, Proud is still one of the best around, particularly in the 50m freestyle division.
A full list of Ben Proud best times for each event can be found below:
Ben Proud long course times:
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50m freestyle: 21.11 (2018) – British Record
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100m freestyle: 48.52 (2016)
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50m butterfly: 22.75 (2017) – British Record
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100m butterfly: 54.88 (2013)
Ben Proud short course times:
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50m freestyle: 20.66 (2017) – British Record
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100m freestyle: 45.97 (2015) – British Record
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50m butterfly: 22.18 (2017) – British Record
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100m butterfly: 54.11 (2013)
Ben Proud Instagram
Like most sports athletes, Ben Proud is active on Instagram – sharing footage of swimming events, his gruelling training schedule and his life out of the pool.
With close to 60,000 followers on the official Ben Proud Instagram page, the Team GB star is well supported and there are even some fan accounts dedicated to him.
Proud hasn’t posted on Instagram since November 2020 but success at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo could see his social media presence soar.
You can follow Ben Proud Instagram updates here: @benproudswim.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Darko Bandic / AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 16th June 2021
