Six world records, eleven European records and numerous British records were broken at the British Gas Disability Open Short Course Swimming Championships this weekend.
Newcomers and experienced Para-swimmers impressed the crowds at the Manchester Aquatics Centre including Sascha Kindred, Danielle Joyce and Andrew Mullen.
Kindred (Leominster Kingfisher SC) is one of the most experienced and decorated swimmers in the Paralympic movement, having won 12 medals from the past five Paralympic Games.
He began his successful weekend on Saturday morning when he touched for a British record in the S6 100m Freestyle (1:08:91). The 36-year old returned in the afternoon to claim a new world record in the SM6 200m Individual Medley (2:39:27).
In Sunday afternoon’s session, he was still showing the young swimmers why he continues to be one of the world’s best with another British record in S6 400m Freestyle (5:10:77).
After his world record, Kindred said: “I've never stopped learning my trade so to break another world record is something I'm very proud off and shows there's still room for improvement for the older swimmer! My swim felt really good but there are bits I'm still not happy with, so hopefully I can go faster.”
Jessica-Jane Applegate, 18, was a gold medallist in the S14 200m Freestyle at London 2012, over a long course.
The City of Norwich swimmer showed form in short course when she clocked 2:10:06 in the same event, setting a new world record.
Other European record breakers included Stephanie Slater in the S8 50m Freestyle (50:80) and two for Andrew Mullen in the S5 200m Freestyle (2:46:03) and 50m Backstroke (38:88).
Mullen, who swims for Scotland, also collected the Team trophy for the most individual points accumulated over the weekend- the first time Scotland has won the trophy in many years.
He was elated for the team and said: "It's been a great competition this weekend. I always look forward to racing short course. It was this meet that my swimming career really kicked off so to be able to come and put in some good performances is always a pleasure."
Scottish swimmer, Danielle Joyce, is fast becoming one of the stars in deaf swimming. The 17 year old is already a multiple world record holder. She enjoyed a great weekend, claiming two new world records in the S15 100m Backstroke in 1:04:45. Later on, she clocked 4:33:60 in the 400m Freestyle.
Joyce said after the first world record: “I wasn't expecting that at all as I've had such a hard few weeks training on a new programme. I don't think I was meant to get a personal best so I'm really happy!”
The mixture of newcomer and world class swimmers gave the championships an extra special atmosphere. Numerous British records were broken by swimmers with a range of experiences.