British athletes to watch at World Para Swimming Championships

Great Britain’s para-swimmers have made a series of statements in 2019, prompting plenty of anticipation ahead of the World Para Swimming Championships in London from 9-15 September.

The British Para-Swimming International Meet – the key qualifier for London 2019 – brought the best out of the team as they put on a show in Glasgow.

World records were broken across the pool as athletes including Maisie Summers-Newton, Reece Dunn and Alice Tai claimed both British and World Series titles.

The World Series finale in Berlin yielded more success for the Brits, with records and gold medals flowing.

Many of the 24 British athletes competing at the World Championships are expected to challenge for medals, but we have highlighted just a sample of the talented para-swimmers who might make an impact at the London Aquatics Centre.

Ellie Simmonds

The Camden Swiss Cottage swimmer will thrive given the opportunity to compete on the international stage at her home pool.

Simmonds has fond memories from the 2012 Paralympic Games, where she won two gold medals, one silver and one bronze.

It’s hard to believe Simmonds – now a veteran para-swimmer – is only 24-years-old, so it’s worth highlighting that she was just 13-years-old when she made her Paralympic debut in Beijing.

Having not competed at the 2017 World Championships, she will be eager to reclaim her 200m Individual Medley and 400m Freestyle titles.

You can watch Simmonds in action on the following days:

• Monday 9 September – Women’s 400m Freestyle S6
• Wednesday 11 September – Women’s 200m Individual Medley SM6
• Sunday 15 September – Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB6

Maisie Summers-Newton

One of Simmonds’ main rivals in London will be her teammate, Maisie Summers-Newton, who has made her breakthrough on the international stage over the last 12 months.

The Northampton swimmer was named the British Swimming Para-Swimming Athlete of the Year in 2018 and picked up where she left off in 2019, setting a world record in the 200m Individual Medley SM6 in Glasgow.

Summers-Newton will make her World Championships debut in London.

You can watch her in action on the following days:

• Monday 9 September – Women’s 400m Freestyle S6
• Tuesday 10 September – Women’s 100m Freestyle S6
• Wednesday 11 September – Women’s 200m Individual Medley SM6
• Friday 13 September – Women’s 50m Freestyle S6
• Sunday 15 September – Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB6

Ellie Robinson

Summers-Newton’s Northampton team-mate, Ellie Robinson, will be favourite for the Women’s 50m Butterfly S6 title.

The 18-year-old is the current world and Paralympic record holder in that event, while also holding the world record over 100m.

This will be Robinson’s World Championships debut.

You can watch her in action on the following days:

• Tuesday 10 September – Women’s 100m Freestyle S6
• Friday 13 September – Women’s 50m Freestyle S6
• Saturday 14 September – Women’s 50m Butterfly S6

Mikey Jones

Jones has the chance to complete a unique hat-trick of titles in London.

The 25-year-old is already the European and Paralympic champion in the 400m Freestyle S7, so he will be looking to add the world title in his first attempt this week.

You can watch him in action on the following days:

• Tuesday 10 September – Men’s 400m Freestyle S7
• Saturday 14 September – Men’s 100m Freestyle S7
• Sunday 15 September – Men’s 50m Freestyle S7

Reece Dunn

Dunn has enjoyed a standout debut season after only making his para-swimming debut last December.

The Plymouth Leander swimmer broke British and world records at the British Para-Swimming International Meet in April, before winning two golds in world record time at the World Series finale in Berlin.

You can watch him in action on the following days:

• Monday 9 September – Men’s 200m Freestyle S14
• Saturday 14 September – Men’s 200m Individual Medley SM14
• Sunday 15 September – Men’s 100m Butterfly S14

Suzanna Hext

Hext is also a relative newcomer to para-swimming, having previously made her name as a triple European para dressage champion.

The change in sports has been seamless for the Swindon Dolphins swimmer, who only competed in her first long course competition earlier this year.

Hext already holds a British record in the Women’s 50m Freestyle S5.

You can watch her in action on the following days:

• Monday 9 September – Women’s 50m Freestyle S5
• Tuesday 10 September – Women’s 200m Freestyle S5 (1-5)
• Sunday 15 September – Women’s 100m Freestyle S5

Alice Tai

Tai has one of the most packed schedules of any British athletes and she is set for a sweep of medals if her recent performances are any indication.

The Ealing swimmer currently holds six S8 world records and took home six medals at the World Series finale in Berlin.

Tai won a gold medal in the 4x100m Medley relay (34 points) at the 2015 World Championships, but will be looking for her first individual world title.

You can watch her in action on the following days:

• Monday 9 September – Women’s 100m Freestyle S8
• Tuesday 10 September – Women’s 100m Backstroke S8
• Wednesday 11 September – Women’s 100m Butterfly S8
• Thursday 12 September – Women’s 400m Freestyle S8
• Friday 13 September – Women’s 50m Freestyle S8
• Saturday 14 September – Women’s 200m Individual Medley SM8

Main photo: British Swimming/Twitter