Ollie Hynd smashes S8 400m Freestyle world record

Ollie Hynd won ParalympicsGB’s first swimming gold of Rio 2016 with a world record in the S8 400m Freestyle.

It’s another for ParalympicsGB! @olliehyndgb joins the #Gold Rush! Amazing.#Superchargepic.twitter.com/97qX31indl

— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) September 8, 2016

The Nova Centurion swimmer built on his performance in the morning’s heats, lowering his old world record of 4:23.76 by almost two seconds in the final.

Hynd went out strong from the start, chased by China’s Xu Haijiao before starting to pull away at the half way point.

He extended his lead with each length, touching the wall in 4:21.89 to upgrade from silver on his Paralympic debut four years ago.

Hynd commented: “I don’t think there has been a day where I have not thought about London and how disappointed I was not to get the gold so it makes it all worth it now.

I’m so happy with the time, I wanted to go under 4:20 if I’m honest but a world record, I’m happy with that.

“I’ve worked so hard for that, I can’t wait to get on the podium and get my medal.”

Josef Craig of Sunderland finished sixth in the same final with a time of 4:39.04.

Millward steals bronze in the Women’s S8 400m Free

Stephanie Millward took the second swimming medal for ParalympicsGB in the S8 400m Freestyle, after a tense final 50m.

While Australia’s Lakeisha Patterson stormed clear to set a world record 4:40.33 for gold, Corsham swimmer Millward battled it out with USA’s Jessica Long and Australia’s Maddison Elliott for silver and bronze position.

Long took silver in 4:47.82 while Millward clinched bronze, touching in 4:49.49.

“Everyone is swimming really well in a really fast pool,” said Millward. “It’s been exciting because I’ve got a whole new set of competitors. I’ve got a few more races and I’m really excited for them.”

Silver for Lee in the SB9 100m Breaststroke

The SB9 100m Breaststroke was another close contest, with Great Britain’s Harriet Lee splitting two Dutch swimmers.

There was less than two seconds between the three women, with Lisa Kruger winning gold in 1:15.49 and Lee slicing 0.98 seconds off her British record to claim the silver medal in 1:16.87.

Lee said: “I have such amazing support back home and Team Lee have been phenomenal.

“It is not just me, there is a network behind me that have dragged me through some difficult times so it is great to be able to share it with them.”

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

Image credit: onEdition