Jones heads up a one-two for ParalympicsGB

It was a British one-two for Paralympics GB in the Men’s S7 400m Freestyle, with Mikey Jones taking gold and Jonathan Fox taking silver on day seven of the Paralympic Games.

This was the first gold medal of three on day seven. Aaron Moores claimed the Men’s SB8 100m Breaststroke title, and Hannah Russell smashed her own world record to win the S12 100m Backstroke.

After going out strong this morning, Mikey Jones started more conservatively in the 400m Freestyle final. However, by the 150m mark, he was back in the lead again. Jonathan Fox was hot on his heels, and both swimmers were well ahead of the rest of the field.

Jones, who is making his Paralympic debut in Rio, just kept extending his lead in the final stages of the race. The Mt Kelly swimmer touched in 4:45.78, over 12 seconds faster than his heat swim.

Jones commented: “I never imagined this, it was a great race. It was another personal best so it’s phenomenal. I worked hard, moved to Manchester with the support of my parents and I’ve been trying to push on.

“My dad passed away with 58 days to go to Rio so that race was as much for him as me. It’s not been an easy build into the meet because of that. It was hard to take initially but he has supported me for all these years and he would have wanted me to have swum my best.”

Fox, although fastest qualifier, just couldn’t catch his compatriot in the final. The City of Manchester Aquatics swimmer touched 4:49.00 for his second silver medal of the Games. He had already collected the 100m Backstroke on day one.

Fox said: “The competition in this race is so high. I didn’t make a podium in this event in London and I’ve come and got this so it’s amazing.

“This is my third Paralympics so I’m classed as one of the old ones on the team. But this is the first time in the three Games that I’ve got two medals under my belt. I came into this race with an open mind. Hats off to Michael for getting the win.”

Bronze for Rodgers in 400m Free

Susie Rodgers claimed her third medal of Rio 2016 after a terrific race in the Women’s S7 400m Freestyle. The Beckenham swimmer touched in 5:23.17 to take bronze behind the two American swimmers Cortney Jordan and Coan McKenzie.

This is the second Paralympic bronze that Rodgers has won in the 400m Freestyle event, having finished third at London 2012. It takes her total Paralympic medal count to six.

Rodgers said: “That really took it out of me. I’m a bit calmer than I was on Monday night. That was the best time I’ve done in a long time.

“It’s still not sunk in that I’m a Paralympic gold medallist. I’ve had a lot of people take the mickey out of my shocked face from the other night when I won, I’m trying to be more serious now but I’m really pleased with that swim.”

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