Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru

ROBERTS STORMS TO WORLD MARK

Eleven-time Paralympic champion David Roberts was in shock after he set a new world record in the 400m freestyle at the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

The Welshman shattered his own record by two seconds at the Aquatics Centre.

The 28-year-old, who swims in the S7 category, touched in four minutes 50.35 seconds to earn 1021 points.

“I don’t know who is more surprised, me or my coach,” said Roberts. “At no point did it feel that quick… if I had known I could have gone quicker.”

British teenage swimming star Ellie Simmonds showed her class once again with a new world record at the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

The 14-year-old double Beijing gold medallist won the S6 100m freestyle, smashing the old mark by 1.3 seconds.

“I knew it was a good swim but I was really, really surprised with the time,” she told BBC Sport afterwards.

Roberts celebrated his 29th birthday with wins in the S7 50m and 100m freestyle to add to his 400m world record set on Sunday.

The 11-time Paralympic gold medallist was pushed all the way by compatriot Matt Walker over the shorter distance, finishing in 28.56 seconds with Walker clocking 28.72.

Roberts controlled the 100m, leading from start to finish to win in 1:03.34 with American Lantz Lamback second and Walker third.

It has taken some hard work to get my confidence back up so to come here and do the time I have is unbelievable

“I usually let Matt lead for 45 metres and then finish it when the work needs to be done, but it’s always a good race between us,” he said.

“There are more exciting ways to spend a birthday but it’s good. Neither swim was that good but sometimes at these events, the win is more important than the performance.”

There were also wins for Bridgend Star Rhiannon Henry in the S13 100m butterfly.

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