Yorkshire duo secure their tickets for Shanghai

It was a Yorkshire double as Richmond’s Jackson produced a powerful swim in the 200m freestyle while Beverley-born Simmonds was a clear winner in the 100m backstroke as both swimmers responded to the disappointment of not qualifying at the first trials in Manchester in March.

Jackson produced her fastest time for two years as she held off the challenge of former double Commonwealth champion Caitlin McClatchey to touch in one minute 58.32 seconds.

It represents a change in fortune for Jackson who claimed two silvers and one bronze medal at the World Championships two years ago in Rome.

However, for the past 18 months ill-health and asthma so severe her ribs popped out in training have blighted Jackson’s career since.

Following Manchester, the Loughborough-based swimmer switched coach from Kev Renshaw to Ben Titley, a move which coincided with a general improvement in her health and by extension training and competition.

An impressive swim yesterday morning saw her qualify fastest and her relief at making the team was palpable.

Jackson said: “It’s such a relief.

“I wanted to go quicker tonight but to get the qualifying time and book my spot for Worlds, I can’t explain how happy I am. This time last year I didn’t think it would happen so I am so relieved and that is what the smile is for.

“It has been really hard but I put in a lot of effort these last few months changing so much and it’s definitely starting to pay off.”

The failure of Simmonds to qualify in March was one of the most notable shocks in Manchester.

Last night, the 20-year-old led from start to finish to win in 59.86, 1.67secs ahead of Ekaterina Avramova.

Simmonds was beaming after the race and on what the difference was between the trials in Manchester and in Sheffield, Simmonds said: “Head. I’ve just been enjoying it. I had a dip there and found it quite hard to pull myself out of that.

“With not qualifying in the 100 I got a bit more down and when I didn’t qualify in the 200 it was the be all and end all.

“I then reassessed it and looked at my swimming and thought ‘this is something I should love doing’ and I do love doing it.

“Since then that has been my mindset. I came here and have had a smile on my face all day.”