Reece Dunn sets new Paralympic record as Brits book seven final spots in Tokyo

Reece Dunn set a new Paralympic record on his Games debut as Britain’s swimmers got off to a flying start in Tokyo – booking seven final spots on the opening day of the competition.

The Plymouth Leander world-record holder powered his way into the Men’s S14 100m Butterfly final, qualifying quickest from the morning’s heats in 55.99.

It gave Dunn the honour of holding the Paralympic record as it is a new race being held at the Tokyo 2020 Games for the first time.

Dunn was trailing American Lawrence Sapp at the turn but soon took the lead as he pushed off the wall and triumphed by 0.98 seconds in an impressive performance.

Jordan Catchpole finished 16th overall in 59.16, placing fifth in his heat.

In the women’s race, European champion Jessica-Jane Applegate and Louise Fiddes both booked their spot in the final.

Applegate clocked 1:07.57 to finish fourth fastest from the heats, while Fiddes was 0.11 seconds behind her GB team mate in 1:07.68.

Tully and Suzanna win heats

Tully Kearney and Suzanna Hext both reached the Women’s S5 200m Freestyle final after winning their respective heats.

Kearney will swim in lane four as the fastest qualifier in a time of 2:52.30, while Hext finished in 2:59.05 to book her spot in the final.

The duo shared the podium at the 2019 World Championships and will be bidding for a repeat in this morning’s finals session, which gets underway at 9am UK time.

Toni Shaw qualified second fastest for the Women’s S9 400m Freestyle on her Paralympics debut in a time of 4:46.19, while Zara Mullooly is into the Women’s S10 50m Freestyle final after finishing in 28.82 in the heats

Lyndon Longhorne set a season’s best time of 58.79 in the Men’s SB3 50m Breaststroke, taking 12th place overall.

Meanwhile, Ellie Robinson withdrew from the Women’s S6 50m Freestyle race.

The Northampton swimmer has decided to focus on her other events in the competition.

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