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World records fall at National Para-Swimming Championships

Para-swimmers ended the year in style with 14 World and 22 European records. More than 260 swimmers took part in the National Para-Swimming Championships in Manchester. Amongst the record breakers celebrating, Rio stars Eleanor Robinson and Jessica-Jane Applegate.

Ellie Robinson in swimming pool

Robinson (Northampton) shot to fame in 2016 when she became Paralympic champion in her debut season on the international stage, with a gold in the S6 50m Butterfly, then multiple medals at the IPC European Championships. She did not let the crowds down in Manchester this weekend with three new short course world times in the S6 100m free, 50m free and 50m fly.

She broke her first record on Saturday morning in the 100m free, in 1.15.12, knocking just over two seconds off teammate Eleanor Simmond’s previous record.

In the 50m Freestyle she clocked 34.22, and in the 50m Butterfly, 35.99. After her outstanding meet, Robinson said:

“Last year was all about school and GCSEs, but this year I’ve been able to concentrate on swimming, so I am really pleased with my racing. In short course you have more turns so it benefits my freestyle.”

Now often competing in races together, Robinson recalls how Simmonds first inspired her. With a group of budding young swimmers in the S6 class waiting in the wing, Robinson acknowledges the importance of developing new stars.

“It’s really nice to see a lot more S6 swimmers. If I can inspire at least one into the sport, then I’ll be really happy. It’s funny to think that some of the swimmers look up to me like I did with Ellie (Simmonds) and it’s quite humbling.”

One of those upcoming stars is 15-year-old Maisie Summers-Newton, Robinson’s club mate. This weekend, Summers-Newton joined the world record breakers in the SB6 100m Breaststroke. She clocked 1.34.90.

Jessica-Jane Applegate (UEA Norwich) also had a fantastic Championship with three new world records in the S14 class. Her records came in the 100m Freestyle (57.86), 100m Butterfly (1:05:02) and 200m Freestyle (2:03:71).

As the races at these Championships are all multi-classification, it can be possible for a number of records to go in the same heat. Crowds witnessed this in the women’s 100m Breaststroke and Backstroke.

In the 100m Breaststroke heats, Rebecca Redfern (SB13- Worcester) and Louise Fiddes (SB14- Hatfield) touched for new world times in 1:14:80 and 1:15:11 respectively.

Gold, silver and two bronze Paralympic medallists lined up in the 100m Backstroke heat. Over short course, they did not disappoint with two World records for S13 swimmer Abby Kane (Ren 96), 1:09:59, and S9 swimmer Alice Tai (Bournemouth Collegiate), 1:07:37.

Thomas Hamer (Co Manchester Aquatics) claimed his world mark in the S14 100m Freestyle, in 52.08. After his races, he said:

“I’m pretty happy with my races and the meet’s gone really well- especially the world time. Next year it’s the Commonwealth Games and the Europeans in Ireland, so training is looking good for that too.
“I now have two weeks off for Christmas; I’m going on holiday so it will be great to have a break and come back rested for the big year ahead.”

Conner Morrison (Aberdeen Per) had a superb swim in SB14 Breaststroke, touching in 1:05.74 for a new world record.

Jonathan Fox (Co Manchester Aquatics) showed form in the 100m Backstroke, where he broke the S7 world record in 1:07:99.

Among other European record breakers celebrating, Jordan Catchpole (Co Norwich), in the S14 100m Butterfly (1:00:16) and 200m Freestyle (1:57:55). Andrew Mullen (Co Glasgow) also broke two European times in the SB5 50m Backstroke (35.87) and S5 50m Butterfly record (37.35). Lewis White (Co Derby) clocked new European times in the S9 100m (55.71) and 400m Freestyle (4:11:26). Stephen Clegg (Uni of Stirling) in the S12 100m Butterfly touched in 58.56.

Grace Harvey (Hoddesdon) secured a European record in the SM7 200m Individual Medley, in a new time of 3:06:24.

The Championships marked the return of swimming legend Simmonds following her year out of the sport. Despite her break, Simmonds (Nova Centurion) showed she is still amongst the best in her class. Before her return, she said:

“Earlier this year I was thinking about retirement but I wanted to give it another shot. Something clicked in me and even though it’s been a shock to wake up early again, if I don’t make the Europeans next year, at least I’ve given it a go.”

Please click here to access all the Championships results.