Swimmers deliver two golds and a silver on super Saturday at the Paralympics

Three medals and two record-breaking times from Great Britain’s swimmers topped off a super Saturday on day four of the Paralympics.

The Mixed S14 4x100m Freestyle Relay team ensured the day ended on a high after a sensational swim saw them break the world record to take gold.

In the individual events, Maisie Summers-Newton claimed her second gold medal in the Women’s SB6 100m Breaststroke event in a new Paralympic record.

Grace Harvey earned her first medal of her debut Games, while Zara Mullooly showed great progression in the Women’s S10 100m Freestyle final.

We’re a proper team

The British quartet of Reece Dunn, Bethany Firth, Jessica-Jane Applegate and Jordan Catchpole broke the previous world record by 1.58 seconds as they cruised to victory in the Mixed S14 4x100m Freestyle Relay final.

The team went into the race as favourites for the gold medal and they certainly delivered, finishing the race a total of 5.75 seconds ahead of second place.

Firth describing them as ‘a proper team’ as she said: “I think we all do Great Britain so proud when we all swim individual events and against each other.

“But when we come together we’re a proper team and I think that showed in the pool tonight.”

The goals have gotten even bigger for Summers-Newton

Summers-Newton added the Women’s SB6 100m Breaststroke title to her collection after already taking gold in the SM6 200m Individual Medley earlier in the week.

The Northampton Swimming Club athlete broke the Paralympic record twice in one day after her gold medal-winning time of 1:32.34 was an improvement on her time set in the heats.

The 19-year-old explained that five years ago she set a goal just to make it to the Paralympic Games and that ‘the goal’s got even bigger now’ after her Tokyo achievements.

Ellie Simmonds also featured in the final. A strong swim saw her improve on her heats time to finish just shy of a podium place in fourth clocking a time of 1:39.94.

Emotional silver for Grace Harvey

There were tears of joy from Harvey following her silver medal win in the Women’s SB5 100m Breaststroke final.

After missing out on a medal in the Women’s SM6 200m Individual Medley event, the Manchester NPC swimmer was determined to get onto the podium this time around.

She touched the wall in a time of 1:42.22, and she ‘loved every second’ of it.

After her race, Harvey said: “I am so happy right now. I just wanted to go out there and enjoy my swim.

“To come away with silver – I’m so touched. I loved every second of that race.

Talking about her family’s support, she said: “They’ve been behind me since day one. I wouldn’t be here without them so thank you to them back home.

“I stopped uni for a year, I moved to Manchester – I just swim and study and it’s paid off.”

Mullooly happy with progress

Northampton swimmer Mullooly finished seventh in the Women’s S10 100m Freestyle final but it was a solid swim from the 18-year-old.

She was able to improve on her heats swim and post a time of 1:01.71 in the final, which she says she is ‘pretty happy with’.

Mullooly added: “It was just great to make another final and to go quicker than what I went this morning. I knew it was going to be close together and it really was.

“It’s just so exciting to be here and to make the finals in both of my races so far, I’m just happy with the progression from heats to finals.”