JAMES Guy admitted Tokyo could not come soon enough after picking up six medals at the European Aquatics Championships in Budapest.

The Bury star capped an impressive competition by adding an individual medal, in the 100m butterfly, to his five in relays on the final night of action.

Having dipped under 51 seconds for the first time in four years to win his semi-final, Guy wanted and expected to be in the medal shake-up, and that he was.

In the thick of it at the turn, it was a closely-fought contest for the minor medals down the final length, Guy showing great fight to clinch bronze.

“It’s been a long, long week, five days’ worth of racing and your main event is the sixth day, so I’ve started my campaign in the fly quite late in the week,” said the two-time Olympic medallist in Rio five years ago.

“To get under 51 again after last night is amazing, it shows I’m in a good place what I’m doing with Dave (McNulty) at the Bath National Centre is working.

“There’s an old saying, ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’.

“I’ve always believed that and I’ve always believed that what’s meant to be won’t pass me by.

“It just shows to keep the mentality, keep going and don’t give up.

“It’s been four years since I last went 51 and I’ve done it twice this week.

“I can’t wait for Tokyo now. Training with Tom Dean has helped massively, and my girlfriend, everything is coming together in and out of the pool.”

Guy’s championships in Hungary kicked off by being part of the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team that won silver in a British record, following that up by helping the mixed 4x200m freestyle squad to gold.

Then it was another silver in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, breaking their own Championship Record from Glasgow three years ago – but the Russian squad went even quicker to take top spot.

Guy then swam the butterfly leg as GB’s mixed 4x100m medley relay team obliterated the European record to clinch the continental crown by a hefty margin.

The event makes its Olympic debut in Tokyo, where Britain will start amongst the favourites if this display was anything to go by.

Not content with individual success on Sunday’s final evening, the 25-year-old was back in the pool less than an hour later to be part of the winning men’s 4x100m medley relay team.

All in all Great Britain’s swimmers enjoyed their most successful European Championships in history, winning 26 medals, 11 of which were gold.

With nine silvers and six bronze medals, the GB squad edged out Russia and Italy at the top of the standings.