Russell powers to 50m Freestyle gold on day ten

September 18, 2016

Hannah Russell left the competition in her wake as she stormed to victory in the S12 50m Freestyle on the final day of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Gold for @HRussell_96 in the S12 50m Freestyle. pic.twitter.com/ccUBs7TcAm
— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) September 17, 2016

Russell was not the only swimmer to come away victorious on day ten, Ollie Hynd took gold in the SM8 200m Individual Medley with a new world record, and Bethany Firth claimed the SM14 200m Individual Medley crown.

Russell, who already won gold in the 100m Backstroke on day seven, looked untouchable in the final. The Woking SC swimmer was over eight tenths of a second faster than her closest rival, touching in 27.53 for victory.

Her performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games has outmatched her performance in London four years ago. Russell won two silver and a bronze in 2012, but has come away with two golds and a new world record this time around.

She commented: “I’m really happy to take the gold medal. I started on day seven but seeing my teammates doing so well is amazing.

“It’s absolutely incredible being on top of the podium with all the support behind me on the road to Rio. It’s for all of them as well.”

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Robinson takes second medal of the Games

Ellie Robinson showed such class in the S6 100m Freestyle for ParlaympicsGB on the final day of Rio 2016. She had already won gold in the 50m Butterfly on day two, and looked good coming into this final, qualifying fourth fastest overall.

Her Ukrainian rivals were favourites coming into the final, and Yelyzaveta Mereshko broke the world record to touch in for gold. Robinson outswam both Lingling Song and team mate Ellie Simmonds to touch in 1:14.43 for a new personal best and British record time. The Northampton swimmer won bronze, taking her medal tally on her Paralympic debut to two.

Robinson said: “I really didn’t expect to medal. I’m so happy because I’ve been able to finish on a high. It’s my last event and I just thought, you know what, I’m going to give it everything.

“It’s going to be so weird going back to school, I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like.”