Bethany Firth lowers world record for Paralympic gold

Bethany Firth claimed a second gold medal for ParalympicsGB, winning the Women’s S14 100m Backstroke on day one of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

It’s S14 100m Backstroke #GOLD and a WR for @BethanyFirth2#Supercharge ? pic.twitter.com/p6zM9Lym2R

— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) September 8, 2016

After Ollie Hynd had kicked off the British medal rush with S8 400m Freestyle earlier in the session, Firth smashed her own world record to claim her title.

The Newcastle based swimmer had already broken the world record in the heats earlier in the day, and she almost took a second off it again in the final. She touched in 1:04.05, over two seconds ahead of second place.

Firth said: “I’m so chuffed about that, I could not have done it without the support back home, they’ve all been behind me. It’s not just my medal, it’s theirs as well.

“We have a great team here and we’re all pushing each other on, we’ve already got two gold medals and I’m sure there’s more to come.”

Firth wasn’t the only English swimmer to stand on the podium in this event. Jessica-Jane Applegate of UEA Norwich also put in a great swim to claim a bronze medal in a time of 1:08.67.

Fox denied title in S7 100m Backstroke

Reigning Paralympic champion Jonathan Fox was denied his title as he finished second in the S7 100m Backstroke final.

The City of Manchester swimmer qualified fastest in the heats earlier in the day. He looked a safe bet for reasserting his dominance this evening.

However, Ievgenii Bogodaiko of Ukraine managed to inch ahead and claim gold just 0.23 seconds ahead of the English swimmer. Fox came away with silver, after touching 1:10.78.

“I’m disappointed,” said Fox. “I’m shocked but it’s racing, you win and you lose. Unfortunately he beat me today. I just felt the last 25m get the better of me.

“I will just take it on board and go for my next event.”

• View full results from the day two swimming finals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Image credit: onEdition