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Record breaking Para-Swimmers show form in Manchester

Six world, eleven European and numerous British records were broken at the British Gas Disability Open Short Course Swimming Championships this weekend. Newcomers and experienced Para-swimmers impressed the crowds at the Manchester Aquatics Centre. Among those celebrating included Sascha Kindred, Danielle Joyce and Andrew Mullen.

Sascha Kindred (Leominster Kingfisher SC) is one of the most experienced and decorated swimmers in the Paralympic movement, having won 12 medals from the past five Paralympic Games. He began his successful weekend on Saturday morning when he touched for a British record in the S6 100m Freestyle (1:08:91). The 36 year old returned in the afternoon to claim a new world record in the SM6 200m Individual Medley (2:39:27). In Sunday afternoon’s session, he was still showing the young swimmers why he continues to be one of the world’s best with another British record in S6 400m Freestyle (5:10:77).

After his world record, Kindred said:

“I've never stopped learning my trade so to break another world record is something I'm very proud off and shows there's still room for improvement for the older swimmer! My swim felt really good but there are bits I'm still not happy with, so hopefully I can go faster.”

Scottish swimmer, Danielle Joyce, is fast becoming one of the stars in deaf swimming. The 17 year old is already a multiple world record holder. She enjoyed a great weekend, claiming two new world records in the S15 100m Backstroke in 1:04:45. Later on, she clocked 4:33:60 in the 400m Freestyle.

Joyce said after the first world record:

“I wasn't expecting that at all as I've had such a hard few weeks training on a new programme. I don't think I was meant to get a personal best so I'm really happy!”

Jessica-Jane Applegate, 18, was a gold medallist in the S14 200m Freestyle at London 2012, over a long course. The City of Norwich swimmer showed form in short course when she clocked 2:10:06 in the same event, setting a new world record.

Icelandic swimmer, Jon Margeir Sverrisson set two world and three European records in Manchester. His world records in S14 100m and 200m Freestyle (00:53:70 and 1:55:11) reaffirmed himself as an international star in the pool. 

Other European record breakers included Stephanie Slater in the S8 50m Freestyle (50:80) and two for Andrew Mullen in the S5 200m Freestyle (2:46:03) and 50m Backstroke (38:88). Mullen, who swims for Scotland, also collected the Team trophy for the most individual points accumulated over the weekend- the first time Scotland has won the trophy in many years. He was elated for the team and said:

"It's been a great competition this weekend. I always look forward to racing short course. It was this meet that my swimming career really kicked off so to be able to come and put in some good performances is always a pleasure."

The mixture of newcomer and world class swimmers gave the championships an extra special atmosphere. Numerous British records were broken by swimmers with a range of experiences.

It is the first time the organisers, Disability Sport Events (DSE) in partnership with British Swimming, combined two established events together- the National Junior and Youth and National Short Course Championships. DSE is an English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) programme, which delivers a range of participation opportunities. EFDS is a national charity, dedicated to disabled people in sport and physical activity, supporting a wide range of organisations to include disabled people more effectively. Established in September 1998, EFDS has a vision that disabled people are active for life.

Jannine Walker, National Events Manager for EFDS, said:

“The event was an overwhelming success, with so many notable performances. As the organisers, we are always proud when we see the newcomers turn into international swimming stars. So many of the world-class Para-swimmers started at events like this one, so to be a part of new swimmers’ road to Rio is a great feeling for everyone involved.”

The Championships were run with thanks to British Gas and ongoing support from British Swimming and Copiertec. DSE relies on sponsorship and fundraising to deliver the successful events programme. Thanks also go to the fantastic volunteers, who give up their time and energy over the year.

If you want to learn more about the opportunities available, please get in touch with EFDS’s fundraising team on fundraising@efds.co.uk or call 01509 227750.

Full results are available here

For further information or media content please contact:

Jannine Walker, National Events Manager. Email: Jannine Walker  Mobile: 07725 273158

Sarah Marl, Marketing and Communications Manager. Email Sarah Marl Mobile: 07764 291671

Notes to Editors:

The English Federation of Disability Sport has a vision that disabled people are active for life. EFDS is the national body for disabled people in sport throughout England. Key areas of expertise include:

  • Providing advice, guidance and information on sport for disabled people.
  • Working with partners to engage more disabled people in sport and physical activity. Partners include National Governing Bodies of sport, National Disability Sports Organisations, education networks, as well as local county sports partnerships, local authorities, disability charities and other third sector organisations.
  • Developing and rolling-out national programmes to improve access to sport and physical activity by disabled people, such as Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive PE and Community Training
  • Providing a comprehensive calendar of participation opportunities through Disability Sport Events. These are delivered to increase the number of disabled people participating at all levels and support the identification and development of talented performers.
  • Managing the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) with a national coverage of 400 IFI Mark accredited gym facilities. The IFI Mark is fundamental in addressing inequality in physical activity; to reach inactive populations, raise awareness of the benefits of exercise and create demand. 
  • Influencing and supporting delivery partners to be more inclusive and to provide a greater range and quality of sporting opportunities for disabled people.
  • Providing a range of inclusive and high quality training opportunities to increase the number of disabled people involved in sport and physical activity.
  • Actively raising the profile of all disabled sports women and men, as well as increasing the opportunities available for disabled people to participate at all levels.
  • Fundraising to provide more opportunities through EFDS and attracting additional funds to sport for disabled people.
  • EFDS receives funding from Sport England as its national partner for disabled people in sport.

 

About British Swimming

British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain.  It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport.

The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (ASA), Scotland (Scottish Swimming) and Wales (Swim Wales).

British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

www.swimming.org/britishswimming

For more information, please contact Gemma Field, Senior Communications Officer on Gemma.Field@swimming.org or 07917 726431.