Swimming: Watkin achieves European record

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World Champion Louise Watkin sealed her first 2011 IPC Swimming European Championship gold medal after showcasing an impressive finish and a European record in the women’s SM9 Individual Medley.

Watkin was up against her team-mates Claire Cashmore and Kate Grey but it was Spain’s Sarai Gascon that had the most successful start.

Gacson turned first at the 50m mark and still remained ahead of Watkin until the freestyle leg when she stormed through the pool.

Watkin took the gold medal in a European record time of 2:35.99 and commented: “It was as tough race from start to finish. Obviously I was down after the fly leg but I pulled it back as hard as I could and thankfully it worked and I got the gold medal.

“When I turned for the last 50, I thought there was no way I could catch up but I pushed hard and managed to overtake her.”

Gacson was forced to accept silver in 2:36.48 and Cashmore took the bronze in 2:37.55. Grey finished back in seventh place in 2:45.47.

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National performance director John Atkinson commented: “We continued on day two where we left off on day one. We had four additional swimmers add to the gold medal tally. For me one of the highlights was Louise Watkin winning her race in a new European record time. I am please with how the first two days have gone and tomorrow sees our relay teams in action.”

Elsewhere, Elizabeth Johnson won the women’s SB6 100m breaststroke.

Johnson got off to an early advantage and moved into the lead, and finished in a time of 1:38.89. Charlotte Henshaw, who is Johnsons team-mate, swam brilliantly too and took silver in a time of 1:39.98 and the bronze went to Ozlem Baykiz (Turkey) in 1:51.10.

“My first European Championship was 10 years ago and this is the first time I have ever been European champion so I am over the moon,” Johnson said.

“I did two years of base work after Beijing and I think that has put me in a good position for this season. I have put work in on my speed and my race specific skills and that really came together today.”

In the women’s S14 200m freestyle, Natalie Massey achieved the silver medal with a time of 2:15.03. In the final she almost caught Marlou van der Kulk of the Netherlands but couldn’t quite close the gap.

Paralympic champion Heather Frederiksen also won silver in a time of 31.62 in the women’s S8 50m freestyle.

Emma Hollis won the bronze medal in the women’s SB7 100m breaststroke, breaking her own British record in a time of 1:41.42.

Whilst newcomer Gemma Almond won the bronze in the women’s SM10 200m Individual Medley with a time of 2.42.12.

Ella Hood, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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