Harvey takes top spot on day one of British Para-Swimming International Meet

The first finals session of the British Para-Swimming International Meet delivered some fantastic swims across the board, with multiple swimmers surpassing the qualifying standards needed for this summer’s Paralympic Games.

Ponds Forge International Sports Centre is playing host to the event, which runs from 8-11 April, and also doubles up as the opening event of the World Para Swimming World Series.

With some of the world’s elite para-swimmers on display, it was Grace Harvey who stole the show as she came out on top of a stacked field in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley.

Harvey won the battle of the SM6 swimmers, finishing with a whopping 938 points and a time of 3:01.01.

Just behind her was current world record holder in the event, Maisie Summers-Newton, who racked up 933 points with her mark of 3:01.36.

That race also saw para-swimming veteran Ellie Simmonds achieving the qualifying mark (3:05.56) for what will be her fourth Paralympic Games this summer in Tokyo.

After taking a break from the sport in 2019, Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Russell (S12) was back on form after winning final 1 of the Women’s multi-classification 100m Freestyle with a time of 1:01.39 and a total of 861 points.

S9 swimmer Toni Shaw (1:03.71) came in second with 826 points, with Louise Fiddes (S14) completing the 1-2-3 finish for Great Britain with 794 points (1:01.09).

Shaw and Russell both achieved Paralympic consideration times in their respective classifications.

Tight battle

Final 1 of the men’s equivalent event delivered a tight battle between Jordan Catchpole and Stephen Clegg.

Catchpole came out on top with 878 points and a time of 53.79, while Clegg achieved a new British record with his time of 53.72 (851 points).

Clegg’s time dips under the consideration time needed for the Paralympic Games this summer. Louis Lawlor tied the third spot with 851 points.

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