Firth secures golden hat-trick for ParalympicsGB on day 10

It was an English one-two in the Women’s SM14 200m Individual Medley, as Bethany Firth and Jessica-Jane Applegate secured gold and silver respectively on the closing night of the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Firth was not the only English swimmer to celebrate a gold medal in the final day of Rio 2016. Ollie Hynd set a new world record in the Men’s SM8 200m Individual Medley, and Hannah Russell claimed gold in the Women’s S12 50m Freestyle.

Firth of Newcastle Swim Team set a new Paralympic record to secure her third gold medal of the Games. She touched in 2:19.55, a full eight seconds ahead of Applegate.

Firth said: “It’s a great way to end the Games and ParalympicsGB just smashed it out of the water tonight.

“There was a little bit of pressure to finish on a high so I’m happy I did that.”

Applegate, who also won a silver medal in the 200m Freestyle on day four, was battling with Marlou van der Kulk of the Netherlands down the final 50m. She managed to pull ahead in that final freestyle leg to finish with a time of 2:27.58.

Applegate said: “I’m really pleased with that performance, the individual medley isn’t my strongest event. I’m actually quite emotional about it.

“I really wanted a gold medal but I’m going to come back, it’s given me that hunger that I needed.”

This was the second one-two that Firth and Applegate completed at the Games, ending ParalympicsGB’s campaign on a real high note.

Hamer takes second silver in the 200m Free

Tom Hamer of City of Manchester Aquatics put in a stunning performance to claim silver in the Men’s SM14 200m IM.

The young swimmer was making his debut in the Paralympics at Rio 2016. He took his second silver of the Games in style. Hamer, who claimed silver in the SM14 200m Freestyle on day four, touched in a new personal best time in the Individual Medley with 2:12.88.

Hamer commented: “I’m so happy with two silver medals at my first Paralympic Games. I can’t ask for more than that and I’m so chuffed.

“My family are the greatest support and I love my coach to bits. I can’t wait to get back on the podium now, but I need to do my hair and look glamorous.”

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