Swimmers Ronald Cowen and Kiera Aitken were both in absolutely "smashing" form during last weekend's 2002 National Swimming Championships held at the BASA pool.

In an event that saw numerous new records established, Cowen and Aitken were undoubtedly the most outstanding in the pool.

Cowen set new records en route to victories in the 400 metre free-style (4.01.95), 200 metre breaststroke (2.06.23), 100 metre free-style (.51.98), 200 metre free-style (1.52.79) and the 100 metre breaststroke (59.21).

Aitken also enjoyed an outstanding meet, establishing new records in the 200 metre breaststroke (2.21.79), 100 metre breaststroke (1.04.34), 50 metre breaststroke (29.87) and the 100 metre free-style in 59.06.

President of the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association Ian Gordon said this year's championships were a phenomenal success.

"I would say that it was one of the most outstanding championships in recent memory," said Gordon. "It was truly worthy of a national championship. We had two outstanding local swimmers. One in Ronald, who was the overall male champion and Kiera Aitken for the girls.

"Ronald set five new national records and one All Comers while he absolutely eclipsed Steven Phase's 400 metre freestyle record knocking about five seconds off the old mark (4.06.85) set in 1999."

Cowen's defining moment came in the 200 metre freestyle where he set a national record and an All Comer's record in a new time of 1.52.79, bettering Mike Cash's decade long record of 1.54.33.

Cowen also obliterated a ten year record held by US swimmer Joel Thomas (1.52.66) in the 100 metre freestyle.