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Watkin strikes gold in Berlin

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.

The second day of competition saw the British Gas GBR Disability Swimming Team win four gold medals and a total of 13 medals overall.

World Champion Watkin lined up for her race next to team-mates Claire Cashmore and Kate Grey but it was Spain’s Sarai Gascon that had the best start.

Gascon turned first at the 50m mark and remained ahead of Watkin until the Freestyle leg when the Brit turned on her power to storm through the pool.

Watkin took the gold medal in a European record time of 2:35.99 and commented: “It was a 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 would catch up but I pushed hard and managed to overtake her.”

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

The classic race of Elizabeth Johnson and Charlotte Henshaw in the women’s SB6 100m Breaststroke didn’t prove a disappointment for the crowds as they swam stroke for stroke throughout the final.

Both Brits started well and it was Johnson that got an early advantage and moved into the lead. Henshaw stormed through the water and turned in first place but Johnson never lost her focus and brought the race home in a time of 1:38.89.

“My first European Championships 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.”

Henshaw won the silver just behind her team-mate in 1:39.98 and the bronze went to Ozlem Baykiz (Turkey) in 1:51.10.

Tom Young won the second gold of the evening for the Brits in the men’s SB7100m Breaststroke after putting in a strong swim.

Young took charge of the race from the start with a quick first 50m but Laroslav Semenenko (Ukraine) began to pull it back and then closed the gap on Young.

The distance was too far for the Ukrainian athlete and the Brit took gold with a time of 1:24.13.

“I knew coming out from the heats that I would have a good shout for the gold medal,” Young said. “I knew I would have to go sub 25 to get the gold. I got back and got rested up, had some food and pushed out a 24 which I am really chuffed about.”

The silver medal went to Semenenko in 1:25.10 and Ruslan Sadvakasov (Russia) who finished in 1:30.70.

Dan Pepper won his first gold medal of the competition in the men’s S14 200m Freestyle but was pushed all the way by Marc Evers (Netherlands).

It was Pepper’s team-mate Ben Procter that had reached for the wall first after 100m but after a number of battles between the pair Pepper knew that if he stuck on

Procter’s shoulder he’d be in with a chance in the final 100m.

Pepper began to power through the water and moved into the lead at the 150m mark and extended his advantage with a good turn.

The World Champion touched in a new British record time of 2:01.27 to win his gold.

“I found that race very hard,” Pepper said.  “I went out a bit quicker than I normally do which I thought might have affected my back end but luckily I had enough in the last 25 to hold off Marc [Evers].

“I’m very pleased with the time. I wanted to go a bit quicker if I’m honest but I am not going to complain. A personal best is a personal best and I am delighted.”

The silver went to Evers in 2:01.42 and Procter secured bronze in 2:03.30 with Craig Rodgie fourth in a personal best 2:04.77.

The women’s S14 200m Freestyle saw Natalie Massey win the silver medal with a time of 2:15.03. In the final 50m she almost caught Marlou van der Kulk (Netherlands) but couldn’t quite close the gap.

James Crisp won the silver medal in the men’s SM9 Individual Medley after finishing in a British record time of 2:19.85.

Paralympic Champion Heather Frederiksen also won silver, clocking 31.62 in the women’s S8 50m Freestyle final.

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

The men’s SM10 200m Individual Medley saw Rob Welbourn win the bronze medal with a good finish to his final. He touched in 2:17.99 to win his medal. Jack Bridge lowered his personal best twice throughout the day. He finished in fifth in 2:20.61.

European Championships newcomer Gemma Almond won bronze in the women’s SM10 200m Individual Medley with a time of 2:42.12. Emma Cattle finished in fifth after reaching for the wall in 2:45.79.

The men’s S5 50m Freestyle saw Anthony Stephens finish just outside of the medals in fourth place in a time of 36.38.

Sean Fraser finished sixth in the men’s S8 50m Freestyle after touching in 27.96.

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 pleased with how the first two days have gone and tomorrow sees our relay teams in action.”

www.swimming.org

 

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