British Duo’s Triumph Tightens Paralympic Medal Race with China

AFP/APP

Paris: British swimmers Tully Kearney and Maisie Summers-Newton stormed to gold medals on the second day of competition at the Paralympics in Paris on Friday.

Kearney and Summers-Newton’s efforts briefly brought Britain level with Paralympic heavyweights China in the overall medals table on six golds, but the Chinese then moved back ahead at the top of the standings.

Kearney, 27, who was born with cerebral palsy, defended her title in the 100m freestyle S5, less than 24 hours after also winning the 200m freestyle. “To retain my title feels incredible,” she said. “It was such a late night and early start and not long to rest in between. It was really hard for all of us who swam last night to keep the energy up,” she added.

Summers-Newton, who was born with achondroplasia, a condition that affects the development of bones, also held on to her title from the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago in the women’s 200m individual medley SM6. “I was really nervous, it’s something that’s come from Tokyo,” she told reporters. “There’s a lot of pressure being Paralympic champion,” the qualified primary teacher added.