Eleanor Simmonds brings down the curtain on successful Paralympic World Cup in Manchester with a world record
Last updated 26/05/2009 10:17:16
Eleanor Simmonds ends Paralympic World Cup in Manchester with a world record
It's that girl again! The British Paralympic young star Eleanor Simmonds enchanted the Manchester Aquatics Centre crowd with a stunning new world record in the S6 100m freestyle as Great Britain's swimmers dominated in the pool on the final day of the BT Paralympic World Cup.
The 14-year-old's time of 1:16.21 was a full two and a half seconds better than her previous best and four seconds ahead of her nearest rivals Natalie Jones as she claimed the first British gold medal of nine in a highly successful day for the home nation.
There were 18 medals in total for Great Britain as they carried on their form of Beijing, with other notable successes including a double gold from David Roberts in the S7 50m and 100m freestyle and a clean sweep of the medals in the women's S9 50m freestyle led by Louise Watkin.
South Africa's Natalie Du Toit, who last year became the first female amputee swimmer ever to qualify for the Olympics, was also a winner in Manchester in the S9 100m freestyle, as the fifth annual BT Paralympic World Cup was brought to a close in fitting style.
It was Simmonds though who took all the plaudits as the 2008 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year showed the world her class once again.
"I didn't think I could get a world record in that event," Simmonds admitted, "It's not my favourite, I prefer the 400m free, so to break the world record in my second event and to take two seconds off my PB is really good.
"For everyone to come to Manchester for the BT Paralympic World Cup is brilliant. Hopefully this is getting British swimmers used to these sorts of surroundings for London and then hopefully by London everyone will turn out to watch us all."
Eleven-time Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts celebrated his 29th birthday in style, however it was the medals that was the icing on his cake rather than the performances themselves.