Teenage Welsh swim sensation Matt Richards will be heading home from the European Junior Championships in Kazan, Russia, with a gold medal around his neck. The 16-year-old Droitwich-based Richards followed up his bronze medal with the British 4 x 100m freestyle relay team with a brilliant triumph in the 100m freestyle in a personal best time – confirming his status as one of the rising stars of British swimming. Having won his heat in 49.91 sec – one of only three swimmers in the nine heats to crack the 50 sec barrier – he went even quicker in the semi-finals, recording the fastest time of 49.50 sec. But he saved his best for last as he dominated the final to win in 48.88 sec.