ROBERTS HEADS WORLD-BEATING CONTINGENT
Fresh from twice smashing the world 400m freestyle record at the British International Swimming Championships, Paralympic champion David Roberts is now preparing for the next big international clash at Manchester’s Paralympic World Cup (7-11 May 2008).
Roberts – who already holds the world records in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle – had been trying to snatch the record over the 400m since the Sydney Paralympics in 2000:
“I’ve tried for eight years to claim that record, and to break it twice in the same day is just great,” he said.
Not only did the 27-year-old from Pontypridd win gold in the 400m, he also had the midas touch over the 50m and 100m freestyle.
He is now preparing to join four other Welsh swimmers at Manchester’s SportCity. Bridgend star Rhiannon Henry will be hungry to claim more medals after whetting her triple gold-winning appetite this weekend. The swimmer – who turns 21 next month – scored a golden hat-trick over 100m and 400m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
Porth’s Nyree Lewis will also be hoping to continue her gold-rush. The Leominster-based sportswoman triumphed over the 100m backstroke, won silver in 400m freestyle and two bronze medals in the 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke.
Liz Johnson of Newport also featured on the podium, having lifted two silvers over 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.
And while he may have just missed out on the medals, Gareth Duke of Cwmbran will be gearing up for his appearance in Manchester. Duke has shown extraordinary determination in recent years. After winning gold at the Athens Paralympics, he underwent a kidney transplant which was donated by his father, Trevor.
Gareth John, Chairman of Disability Sport Wales, is looking forward to the swimming showdown:
“If you look back at Wales’ Paralympic success in recent years, it is clear that swimming has made a significant contribution. In Athens, Welsh swimmers were true stalwarts of the GB team, taking an incredible 15 medals – seven of which were gold.
“I look forward to seeing how our world-class prospects perform in Manchester as it will be an important indicator as we’re just over four months out from the Games in Beijing.”
Now in its third year, the Paralympic World Cup has become one of the biggest multi-disability sport events outside of the Paralympic Games and is widely acclaimed as a showpiece for the world’s most prominent elite athletes with a disability. With the race to Beijing 2008 now on, it offers a fantastic opportunity to pit Welsh contenders against the cream of disability sport.
