Kate Emma Haywood (born 1 April 1987) is an English former elite swimmer who competed for Great Britain in the Olympics, FINA world championships, and European championships, and represented England in the Commonwealth Games. She competed predominantly as a breaststroke swimmer. She was the youngest swimmer to represent England in the Commonwealth Games when she qualified for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, where she won a bronze medal in the 4×100-metre medley relay. She retired from competitive swimming following the 2012 Summer Olympics.[1]

Kate Haywood
Personal information
Full nameKate Emma Haywood
National team Great Britain
Born (1987-04-01) 1 April 1987 (age 36)
Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight68 kg (150 lb; 10.7 st)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBreaststroke
College teamLoughborough University
Medal record
Women's swimming
Representing Great Britain
World Championships – Short Course
Silver medal – second place 2008 Manchester 50 m breaststroke
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Manchester 4×100 m medley
European Championships – Long Course
Gold medal – first place 2008 Eindhoven 4×100 m medley
Gold medal – first place 2010 Budapest 4x100 m medley
Silver medal – second place 2006 Budapest 50 m breaststroke
Silver medal – second place 2010 Budapest 50 m breaststroke
European Championships – Short Course
Silver medal – second place 2006 Helsinki 50 m breaststroke
Bronze medal – third place 2004 Vienna 50 m breaststroke
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Helsinki 4×50 m medley
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 2006 Melbourne 4×100 m medley
Silver medal – second place 2010 Delhi 4×100 m medley
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Manchester 4×100 m medley
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Delhi 50 m breaststroke
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Delhi 100 m breaststroke

Career summary edit

Despite missing out on qualification for the British swim squad at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Haywood qualified for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, where she won a silver medal in the 4×100-metre medley relay.

She won a joint silver medal (with Sarah Katoulis of Australia) in the 50-metre breaststroke at the 2008 World Short Course Championships. She competed at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, finishing in 4th place in the British 4×100-metre medley relay team, and reaching the semi-finals in the 100-metre breaststroke. She was forced to miss the 2009 Swimming World Championships in Rome due to a hip injury.[2]

Haywood won the bronze medal in the 50- and 100-metre breaststroke at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

After retirement from swimming, Kate has set up a successful personal training business called Straightline Fitness. She consults to people and businesses, helping them achieve their fitness goals.

Personal life edit

Haywood won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award in 2003.

From 2010, Haywood lived and trained in Melbourne, Australia, under the guidance of Rohan Taylor.

Her great-grandfather was Warneford Cresswell, former Everton and England footballer.[3]

Personal bests and records held edit

Event Long course Short course
50 m breaststroke 31.24 (2010) 30.93 (2005)
100 m breaststroke 1:07.56 (2008) NR 1:05.95 (2008) NR
200 m breaststroke 2.32.40 (2005) 2.31.43 (2003)
Record Key NR:British

References edit

  1. ^ Haywood on her retirement
  2. ^ "I'll not hurry back, vows battling Kate". Grimsby Telegraph. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.[dead link]
  3. ^ "Haywood gatecrashes the Games". BBC Sport. 5 June 2002. Retrieved 14 October 2008.

External links edit