Rodgers makes it a golden hat-trick for ParalympicsGB

September 13, 2016 Swimming News

Susie Rodgers won Great Britain’s third swimming gold in 30 minutes to complete a memorable night in the pool for ParalympicsGB.

Having watched Sascha Kindred and Ellie Simmonds set world records to win the SM6 200m Individual Medley titles, Rodgers flew to victory in the 50m Butterfly to land GB’s seventh swimming gold of the Games.

MEDAL ALERT: #GOLD and EUROPEAN RECORD for @Susie_Rodgers in the #Rio2016 Women’s S7 50m Butterfly Final! #ROAR pic.twitter.com/UNea0C4ON6
— British Swimming (@britishswimming) September 12, 2016

While Kindred and Simmonds were favourites to finish first in their respective events, Rodgers was less fancied for an event in which she finished fourth at London 2012.

But the S7 classification swimmer looked in a class of her own in the final, storming to a new European record of 35.07 to claim her maiden Paralympic title.

“Did that just happen? I just can’t believe it, I’m in total shock,” said the 33-year old.

“I didn’t know where I was – I knew I could do a quick time but never that quick. My job is done, I don’t think this will ever sink in.

“This goes to show that no matter how old you are, you can still pull things out of the bag.”

Rodgers dominates from gun to wall

The Beckenham swimmer set her sights on reaching the Paralympics after being inspired by Ellie Simmonds’ double gold at the Beijing Games four years ago.

And the manner of Rodgers victory on the night was one Simmonds’ would have been proud of, dominating the race from gun to wall.

USA’s world silver medallist Cortney Jordan (35.46) and New Zealand’s world champion Nikita Howarth (35.97) followed Rodgers home for silver and bronze.

But there was no staying with the Brit, who sailed under her previous European record of 35.90, set to win gold at this year’s IPC European Championships in Funchal.

Rodgers has now won five medals from her two Paralympic Games, having landed three bronzes at London 2012 as well as her 50m Freestyle bronze on day two in Rio.