IT is a sign of how determined Bolton Metro swimmer James Oxborrow is to make a name for himself in the pool that he was left wanting more despite setting a number of new personal bests at the 2016 British Swimming Championships.

The 18-year-old Canon Slade pupil was in action last week at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre, competing in both the 100m and 50m freestyle events.

He got things off to a strong start on Thursday in the 100m freestyle heats where he clocked 52.36secs for a new best time.

And better was to come on Saturday in the shorter distance as the teenager touched the wall in 23.68 to set another personal best in the heats of the 50m freestyle.

That was enough to see him qualify for the Target Tokyo final – an event designed to highlight potential stars at the 2020 Olympic Games – where he finished seventh – again lowering his time to 23.58.

But while enjoying sharing the stage with a number of Rio Olympic Games hopefuls, Oxborrow believes there is still plenty more to come from him.

“The atmosphere helped me in the final,” he said. “It’s always good to come in and hear lots of people cheering, but as soon as you get in the pool you can’t hear a thing.

“But hearing them as you walk in really gets you pumped up, gets the adrenaline going and really helps you feel prepared.

“I got a personal best and I wanted to go faster in the evening which I did, so I’m happy.

“I wanted to get into the Target Tokyo final, it would be great to represent my country. A lot of hard work is needed in the next four years but I think it is completely possible.

“I’m pretty happy with how this week has gone. I’ve got a couple of personal bests but I would have liked to have gone a bit faster.”

With his 2016 British Swimming Championships coming to a close on Saturday, it will be back to training for Oxborrow.

Although he is hoping to return next year representing a new team, having revealed his aim to secure a place at Loughborough University this summer.

“I’m hoping to get into Loughborough later this year because they’ve got a great swimming team there,” he added.

“They are my first choice so fingers crossed I can get in there and focus on my swimming with them.”

Tickets for the European Aquatics Championships – the biggest event to be held at the London Aquatics Centre since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games – from May 9-22 are now available here: www.euroaquatics2016.london