A resounding victory for Maisie Summers-Newton in the Women’s SB6 100m Breaststroke on Friday night in Madeira completed her concurrent hold on the event at Paralympic, World, European and Commonwealth level.
Right from the starters orders the Women’s SB6 100m Breaststroke gold looked to belong only to Maisie Summers-Newton - with the 21 year-old utilising her high stroke rate action to stretch the margin on her competitors across the distance.
Already the reigning champion in this event at Paralympic, World and Commonwealth level, Summers-Newton’s first outing at a European Championships since Dublin 2018 now completes her lock on the title at all four majors at the same time, as she builds towards fulfilling her main ambitions for the season at the Paris 2024 Summer Games.
“Yeah I’m really pleased – this event is my favourite event.” said Summers-Newton,
“Breaststroke is my strongest stroke of them all and I’m happy with that [race]. Considering as the S6 girls we’ve not had many heats opportunities I think going straight into a final that was a solid swim, and only a second off my personal best.
“The focus when we get back home is just on developing that speed, strength and power across the 100m - but I can’t ask for much more today so I’m super pleased.”
In the respective Men’s event, Northampton Swimming Club training partner, Bruce Dee, came incredibly close to earning a second medal at his debut international to add to his medley silver.
Having reached the 50m turn over a second down on the top three, Dee worked hard on the return breaststroke length to get involved in a three-way tussle for the silver and bronze. In a blanket finish Dee agonisingly placed fourth - just 0.22s outside the medal spots.
Elsewhere on the night Lily Rice continued her race programme with a solid fifth position in the Women’s SM8 200m Individual Medley, while Callie-Ann Warrington and Amber Haycock both reached the Women’s S10 100m Freestyle final – respectively placing fifth and eighth overall at it’s conclusion.
Live streaming is available on the Paralympic Games YouTube, with further event details and results on the World Para Swimming Website.