Robinson wins gold in debut Paralympic final

Northampton’s Ellie Robinson swam a fantastic final race in the Women’s S6 50m Butterfly to claim a gold medal on day two of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

#GOLD for 15 YEAR OLD Ellie Robinson!

Wow, what an amazing achievement for the Northampton swimmer. pic.twitter.com/5bBkZFXR9z

— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) September 9, 2016

The 16-year-old got off to an amazing start, and maintained the early lead to touch in 35:58. She set a new Paralympic record and personal best time to top the podium.

Robinson said: “I still can’t believe it, I keep looking around to check. I put everything I have done in training into that race. Oh my god it is so weird.

“I didn’t think it was possible and I don’t think it is possible now: I can’t believe it! I feel like I am going to wake up and it is a dream.”

Rogers adds another notch to her Paralympic belt

Susie Rodgers of Beckenham SC added a bronze to the Paralympics GB tally. Although it was a tight swim in the Women’s S7 50m Freestyle. The swimmer had finished second fastest overall in the heats, but just couldn’t catch Denise Grahl who claimed silver just a tenth of a second ahead. Rodgers touched 33.36.

She commented, “I have got to be happy with a lifetime best and a medal, plus I didn’t get a medal in that event in London 2012.

“I got myself in the lane that I wanted to be in and she [Denise Grahl] pushed me all the way. Fair play to her for breaking the European record.”

White wins bronze in 400m Free

Lewis White of City of Derby SC secured Britain’s third medal of the evening in style during the Men’s S9 400m Free. The 16-year-old, also making his first Paralympic appearance in this competition, swam 4:21.28. This lowered his personal best time for the second time on day two and saw him taking the third spot on the podium.

White commented: “It was unreal, I was not expecting that. It has blown my mind. I am not overly sure what has happened, I am a bit dazed. Give it four years and it may sink in!”

Silver for Slater in the final event of day two

Steph Slater of NPC Manchester was denied a gold medal in the Women’s S8 100m Butterfly. Although she was only just behind Kateryna Istomina at the turn, her Ukrainian rival managed to put over a second between them by the finish. Slater touched in 1:10.32 to finish just ahead of USA’s Jessica Long.

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

Image credit: onEdition