Fiddes and Dunn break records at British Para-Swimming International Meet

The second finals session of the British Para-Swimming International Meet saw more British records fall as swimmers aimed for Paralympic consideration times.

The finals session began with a minute’s silence as a mark of respect after the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip.

Once underway, the Women’s multi-classification 100m Breaststroke was the stand out race of the session, with four British swimmers achieving Paralympic consideration times.

It was SB14 swimmer Louise Fiddes who claimed the Para Swimming World Series gold medal after racking up 843 points with her time of 1:16.84.

European record holder Maisie Summers-Newton (SB6) finished in second place with 819 points, while Grace Harvey (SB5) broke yet another British record.

After setting a new British record for the event in the heats, Harvey’s time of 1:43.82 saw her achieve 738 points, putting her in third place.

Paralympic silver medallist and Worcester Swimming Club athlete Rebecca Redfern (SB13) finished fifth with 701 points but inside a Paralympic consideration time of 1:18.28.

British record for Reece Dunn

In the Men’s multi-classification 100m Backstroke, Plymouth Leander swimmer Reece Dunn set a new British record for the S14 category after beating his own time from the heats.

Dunn was a body length ahead at the final 25 metre mark and was the only athlete to go under one minute, touching the wall in 59.96 seconds to earn a huge 965 points and take the gold medal.

All of the top four were S14 swimmers, with Louis Lawlor and Jordan Catchpole finishing in second and third respectively and Wales’ Rhys Davies in fourth.

Lawlor swam a time of 1:01.47 and Catchpole a time of 1:01.49, both of which were inside the Paralympic qualification (1:01.67) and also earning both 895 points.

Russell races to top spot

Hannah Russell (S12) finished comfortably inside the Paralympic qualification time as she claimed top spot in the women’s equivalent event.

The Paralympic champion and world record holder shone in her favourite event as she clocked in at 1:08.79, totalling 885 points.

It was a tight finish for second place as S9 swimmer Stephanie Millward touched first ahead of France’s Emeline Pierre (S10).

Millward swam a time of 1:13.88, achieving 759 points as she looks to make Tokyo her fourth Paralympic appearance.

To watch the live-streamed sessions, visit British Swimming’s YouTube page here. Photo credit: British Swimming Twitter.